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A study was conducted to examine relationships among university students' self-regulation, motivational structure, and alcohol consumption. Participants were student drinkers (N = 105, females = 77.7%, mean age = 19.82 years) who completed a demographics questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Questionnaire, Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire, and Personal Concern Inventory (PCI). Self-regulation was negatively correlated with the amount of alcohol that students drank on typical (p <.05) and atypical (p <.01) occasions. PCI adaptive motivation was also negatively correlated with typical (p <.05) and atypical (p <.05) drinking. Finally, adaptive motivation and self-regulation were positively correlated with each other (p <.05). The study demonstrates that self-regulation and motivational structure play an important role in university students' alcohol consumption. Interventions could be developed for experimentally manipulating these measures with the aim of reducing students' use of alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackground The effectiveness of providing feedback on spirometry results for smoking cessation remains inconclusive according to the current evidence.Objectives To assess the effectiveness of a motivational intervention based on spirometry results in achieving prolonged smoking abstinence (12 months post-intervention).Design and Setting A randomised, controlled, observer-blinded, multicentre clinical trial was conducted (from January 2012 to December 2015) in 20 primary healthcare centres in the Tarragona province, Spain.Methods Participants, active smokers aged 35–70 without known respiratory disease, were recruited from primary healthcare centres by family doctors and nurses. They were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (IG = 308) or the control group (CG = 306). Both groups received brief smoking cessation counselling. Additionally, the IG underwent spirometry and received detailed information about the results, including lung age. The primary outcome was prolonged abstinence, defined as lasting at least 12 months and validated through cotinine measurement in urine.Results The prolonged abstinence rate was 7.8% in the IG, compared to 2.6% in the CG (p = 0.004). At 12 months, in the multivariate analysis, the intervention was identified as an independent factor for smoking cessation (OR 2.8; 95%CI 1.2 to 7.7), a trend maintained throughout the follow-up (HR 2.74; 95%CI 1.13 to 6.62). Moreover, according to the Prochaska and DiClemente model, the preparation or action phase to quit was also associated with smoking cessation (HR 2.55, 95%CI 1.07 to 6.09).Conclusion A primary care-delivered intervention involving brief counselling and detailed spirometry information proves effective in increasing abstinence rates among active smokers without known respiratory disease. Additionally, smoking cessation is also influenced by the individual’s stage of change.Trial Registration ClinicatTrials.gov NCT02153047

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a simple motivational treatment (consisting of immediate feedback, goal setting, and positive reinforcement) on the reading performance of an 11-year-old boy with learning difficulties. We applied an ABAB reversal design to test the impact of our approach. The dependent measure was the number of correctly read words from a children's book within 5 minutes. Results indicate that whenever the intervention was in place, the student showed greater achievements than during baseline conditions. The implications of employing simple motivational techniques to increase reading performance are outlined, and the limitations of the study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveBehavioral economic theory suggests that a reduction in alcohol use is most likely when there is an increase in rewarding substance-free activities. Anxiety has also been linked to heavy drinking, and strategies to reduce anxiety may enhance alcohol interventions. The goal of this 2-site randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a brief alcohol intervention that was supplemented with either a behavioral economic substance-free activity session (SFAS) or a relaxation training (Relaxation training [RT]) session.MethodParticipants were 393 college students (61% female, mean age = 18.77 years) who reported 2 or more past-month heavy drinking episodes. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 conditions: (a) assessment; (b) alcohol brief motivational intervention (BMI) plus SFAS; or (c) BMI plus RT. Both treatment conditions included 2 in-person sessions plus a phone booster session. Outcomes were evaluated 1-, 6-, 12-, and 16-months postintervention.ResultsGeneralized linear mixed models indicated that the combination of a BMI plus either the SFAS or RT was associated with significant reductions in alcohol use and problems across the 16-month follow-up compared with assessment only. There were no significant differences between the two active treatment conditions. Changes in proportional reinforcement from substance-related activities, and protective behavioral strategies mediated treatment effects.ConclusionTwo-session (plus booster) interventions that combine BMI and either substance-free activity enhancement or RT can result in enduring reductions in alcohol misuse among college drinkers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Background: Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic pain and fatigue that triggers a functional disability caused by the lack of activity. Pain catastrophizing may contribute to avoiding activity with the intention of managing pain levels. Based on the sedentary behavior with fibromyalgia, the present study assessed the preference of pain-avoidance goals and pain catastrophizing as mediator and moderator variables, respectively, that influence pain perception after a 6-min-walking test. Methods: The sample was composed of 76 women with fibromyalgia (mean age = 55.05, SD = 7.70). Previous sedentary behavior, preference for pain-avoidance goals, and pain catastrophizing were evaluated before starting the walking-test. Subsequently, pain perception was evaluated. Results: A significant moderated-mediation model was found in which pain-avoidance goals mediated the relationship between sedentarism and pain after a walking-test, and pain catastrophizing moderated the relationship between the preference for pain-avoidance goals and pain perception. Specifically, high levels of pain catastrophizing contributed to increased pain perceptions after completing the test (B = 0.570, p = 0.03, CI 95% (0.09, 0.11)]. Conclusions: The results suggest that motivational interventions can improve the symptoms because their objectives are focused on managing conflict goals. These interventions should focus on catastrophic cognitions considering that pain catastrophizing is deemed to be one of the major inhibitors of physical activity in fibromyalgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the MotivAir program--a phone-based intervention based on Motivational Interviewing (MI) principles and techniques--in enhancing adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy among patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with random allocation at the level of the individual will be conducted to compare the impact of the experimental program (usual care plus MI) with a control group receiving usual care only in improving selected clinical and psychological parameters in the patients. A minimum sample of 80 participants (40 patients per group) will be recruited in each center according to the inclusion criteria. After the initial screening, participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control condition. The program will last 180 days and will be delivered by a trained nurse. The impact of the MotivAir program on selected primary (adherence to CPAP in terms of average hours of usage per night and the Apnea-Hypopnea Index, AHI) and secondary (motivation, perceived competence, quality of life, sleepiness) outcomes will be measured at baseline, and after 1-, 3-, and 6-month from CPAP initiation. Discussion: Participants are expected to show an increased level of adherence to CPAP and to acquire the skills and self-confidence necessary to deal with the psychological consequences of their chronic condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveConcurrent use of marijuana and alcohol among college students is highly prevalent and associated with negative consequences. It remains unclear whether marijuana use is influenced by or lessens the efficacy of alcohol interventions delivered within a stepped-care approach.MethodParticipants were 530 college students who violated campus alcohol policy and were mandated to an alcohol-focused brief advice (BA) session. Participants who reported continued risky alcohol use (4+ heavy drinking episodes and/or 5+ alcohol-related consequences in the past month) six weeks following the BA session were randomized to a brief motivational intervention (BMI; n=211) or assessment only (AO; n=194) condition. Follow-up assessments were conducted 3, 6, and 9months' post-intervention.ResultsMultiple regression analyses revealed that marijuana user status did not influence drinking outcomes following the BA session. However, hierarchical linear models suggested that marijuana users who were randomized to BMI or AO reported higher levels of binge drinking, pBAC and consequences compared to non-users, regardless of condition. Despite this, heavy drinking marijuana users and nonusers had equivalent reductions on alcohol use outcomes following the BMI sessions. Marijuana users who received a BMI did not significantly reduce marijuana use frequency compared to participants in the AO group.ConclusionUse of marijuana did not lessen the efficacy of the BA session on alcohol use or consequences. Findings suggest that marijuana users respond similarly to alcohol interventions as do non-users and can benefit from brief or more intensive alcohol interventions. A marijuana-focused intervention may be warranted to facilitate changes in marijuana use.

ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the MotivAir program—a phone-based intervention based on Motivational Interviewing (MI) principles and techniques—in enhancing adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy among patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS).MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with random allocation at the level of the individual will be conducted to compare the impact of the experimental program (usual care plus MI) with a control group receiving usual care only in improving selected clinical and psychological parameters in the patients. A minimum sample of 80 participants (40 patients per group) will be recruited in each center according to the inclusion criteria. After the initial screening, participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control condition. The program will last 180 days and will be delivered by a trained nurse. The impact of the MotivAir program on selected primary (adherence to CPAP in terms of average hours of usage per night and the Apnea-Hypopnea Index, AHI) and secondary (motivation, perceived competence, quality of life, sleepiness) outcomes will be measured at baseline, and after 1-, 3-, and 6-month from CPAP initiation.DiscussionParticipants are expected to show an increased level of adherence to CPAP and to acquire the skills and self-confidence necessary to deal with the psychological consequences of their chronic condition.

Stepped care approaches for mandated college students provide individual brief motivational interventions (BMI) only for individuals who do not respond to an initial, low-intensity level of treatment such as Brief Advice (BA). However, how BMIs facilitate change in this higher-risk group of mandated students remains unclear. Perceived descriptive norms and alcohol-related expectancies are the most commonly examined mediators of BMI efficacy but have yet to be examined in the context of stepped care. Participants were mandated college students (N = 598) participating in a stepped care trial in which mandated students first received BA. Those who reported continued risky drinking 6 weeks following a BA session were randomized to either a single-session BMI (N = 163) or an assessment-only comparison condition (AO; N = 165). BMI participants reduced alcohol-related problems at the 9 month follow up significantly more than AO participants. Multiple mediation analyses using bootstrapping techniques examined whether perceived descriptive norms and alcohol-related expectancies mediated the observed outcomes. Reductions in perceptions of average student drinking (B = -.24; 95% CI [-.61, -.04]) and negative expectancies (B = -.13; 95% CI [-.38, -.01]) mediated the BMI effects. Furthermore, perceived average student norms were reduced after the BMI to levels approximating those of students who had exhibited lower risk drinking following the BA session. Findings highlight the utility of addressing perceived norms and expectancies in BMIs, especially for students who have not responded to less intensive prevention efforts.

Background: Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic pain and fatigue that triggers a functional disability caused by the lack of activity. Pain catastrophizing may contribute to avoiding activity with the intention of managing pain levels. Based on the sedentary behavior with fibromyalgia, the present study assessed the preference of pain-avoidance goals and pain catastrophizing as mediator and moderator variables, respectively, that influence pain perception after a 6-min-walking test. Methods: The sample was composed of 76 women with fibromyalgia (mean age = 55.05, SD = 7.70). Previous sedentary behavior, preference for pain-avoidance goals, and pain catastrophizing were evaluated before starting the walking-test. Subsequently, pain perception was evaluated. Results: A significant moderated-mediation model was found in which pain-avoidance goals mediated the relationship between sedentarism and pain after a walking-test, and pain catastrophizing moderated the relationship between the preference for pain-avoidance goals and pain perception. Specifically, high levels of pain catastrophizing contributed to increased pain perceptions after completing the test (B = 0.570, p = 0.03, CI 95% (0.09, 0.11)]. Conclusions: The results suggest that motivational interventions can improve the symptoms because their objectives are focused on managing conflict goals. These interventions should focus on catastrophic cognitions considering that pain catastrophizing is deemed to be one of the major inhibitors of physical activity in fibromyalgia.

ObjectiveBehavioral economic theory suggests that a reduction in substance use is most likely when there is an increase in rewarding substance-free activities. The goal of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the incremental efficacy of a novel behavioral economic supplement (Substance-Free Activity Session [SFAS]) to a standard alcohol brief motivational interviewing (BMI) session for heavy-drinking college students.MethodParticipants were 82 first-year college students (50% female; 81.7% White/European American; M age = 18.5 years, SD = 0.71) who reported 2 or more past-month heavy drinking episodes. After completing a baseline assessment and an individual alcohol-focused BMI, participants were randomized to either the SFAS or to a Relaxation Training (RT) control session. The SFAS was delivered in an MI style and attempted to increase the salience of delayed academic and career rewards and the patterns of behavior leading to those rewards.ResultsThe combination of an alcohol BMI plus the SFAS was associated with significantly greater reductions in alcohol problems compared with an alcohol BMI plus RT at the 1-month and 6-month follow-up assessments (p = .015, ηp² = .07), an effect that was partially mediated by increases in protective behavioral strategies. BMI + SFAS was also associated with greater reductions in heavy drinking among participants who at baseline reported low levels of substance-free reinforcement or symptoms of depression.ConclusionThese results are consistent with behavioral economic theory and suggest that a single session focused on increasing engagement in alternatives to drinking can enhance the effects of brief alcohol interventions.

Background: The effectiveness of providing feedback on spirometry results for smoking cessation remains inconclusive according to the current evidence., Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a motivational intervention based on spirometry results in achieving prolonged smoking abstinence (12 months post-intervention)., Design and Setting: A randomised, controlled, observer-blinded, multicentre clinical trial was conducted (from January 2012 to December 2015) in 20 primary healthcare centres in the Tarragona province, Spain., Methods: Participants, active smokers aged 35-70 without known respiratory disease, were recruited from primary healthcare centres by family doctors and nurses. They were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (IG = 308) or the control group (CG = 306). Both groups received brief smoking cessation counselling. Additionally, the IG underwent spirometry and received detailed information about the results, including lung age. The primary outcome was prolonged abstinence, defined as lasting at least 12 months and validated through cotinine measurement in urine., Results: The prolonged abstinence rate was 7.8% in the IG, compared to 2.6% in the CG ( p  = 0.004). At 12 months, in the multivariate analysis, the intervention was identified as an independent factor for smoking cessation ( OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.2 to 7.7), a trend maintained throughout the follow-up ( HR 2.74; 95% CI 1.13 to 6.62). Moreover, according to the Prochaska and DiClemente model, the preparation or action phase to quit was also associated with smoking cessation ( HR 2.55, 95% CI 1.07 to 6.09)., Conclusion: A primary care-delivered intervention involving brief counselling and detailed spirometry information proves effective in increasing abstinence rates among active smokers without known respiratory disease. Additionally, smoking cessation is also influenced by the individual's stage of change., Trial Registration: ClinicatTrials.gov NCT02153047.

Introduction: Antihypertensive medication non-adherence is an important cause of poor control in hypertension. The role of motivational interventions to increase antihypertensive medication adherence remains unclear., Objective: To systematically review RCTs of motivational interventions for improving medication adherence in hypertension., Methods: EMBASE and Pubmed were searched from inception to February 2019 for RCTs of motivational interventions for improving medication adherence in hypertension vs. usual care., Inclusion Criteria: RCTs with motivational intervention to improve medication adherence in adults with hypertension. A blinded review was conducted by 2 reviewers. Disagreements were resolved by consensus/a third reviewer. Data extraction and quality appraisal was performed using the risk of bias tool from cochrane collaboration. The meta-analyses of blood pressure control used random-effects models to report mean difference and 95% CIs. Primary outcome was medication adherence and second outcome was blood pressure control., Results: The search methodology yielded 10 studies comprising 1171 participants. Medication adherence improved significantly in 5 studies. We could not perform pool analysis for this outcome due to different measurements of medication adherence. Seven trials reported significant results regarding blood pressure control. On pooled analysis, motivational interventions were not significantly associated with a systolic blood pressure (mean difference, -0.06; 95% CI, -0.05 to 0.18; p=0.63; I 2 =0.0%) or diastolic blood pressure (mean difference, -0.11; 95% CI, -0.10 to 0.31; p=0.28; I 2 =23.8%) decrease or blood pressure control., Conclusions: Motivational interventions seem to significantly improve medication adherence but not significantly blood pressure control in hypertension, although evidence is still being based on few studies, with unclear risk of bias., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Hintergrund: Abhängigkeitserkrankungen bilden die Gruppe der häufigsten psychischen Störungen. Trotz eines breiten Behandlungsangebots an psychotherapeutischen Interventionen ist der Anteil der Patienten, die eine evidenzbasierte Behandlung bzw. im Rahmen der ambulanten Versorgung eine psychotherapeutische Behandlung erhalten, sehr gering.Ziel der Arbeit: Vor diesem Hintergrund soll eine Neubewertung der empirischen Evidenz für die Wirksamkeit verschiedener psychotherapeutischer Behandlungsansätze vorgenommen werden und Handlungsempfehlungen für die Praxis abgeleitet werden.Material und Methoden: Es wurde eine umfassende Literaturrecherche in einem mehrstufigen Vorgehen in den relevanten nationalen und internationalen Datenbanken durchgeführt. Anschließend erfolgte eine Analyse der aktuellen Leitlinien, Übersichtsarbeiten und Primärstudien zum Thema Therapie bei Abhängigkeitserkrankungen.Ergebnisse: Es konnten insgesamt 3 aktuelle nationale Leitlinien, 2 Reviews sowie 16 Primärstudien identifiziert werden. Insbesondere können kognitive Verhaltenstherapie, verhaltenstherapeutische Interventionen und die motivationalen Interventionen als evidenzbasierte Behandlungsansätze bei verschiedenen Abhängigkeitserkrankungen betrachtet werden. Bei Tabakabhängigkeit können alternativ auch hypnotherapeutische Maßnahmen empfohlen werden. Interessant für die Praxis sind auch die neuen Behandlungsmethoden wie das neurokognitive Training und die achtsamkeitsbasierten Interventionen.Diskussion: Die Studienlage ist zum Teil inkonsistent oder numerisch unzureichend trotz hoher Qualität. Weitere Forschungsarbeiten werden benötigt, die sich mit verschiedenen Substanzabhängigkeiten und Patientengruppen beschäftigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Concurrent use of marijuana and alcohol among college students is highly prevalent and associated with negative consequences. It remains unclear whether marijuana use is influenced by or lessens the efficacy of alcohol interventions delivered within a stepped-care approach.Method: Participants were 530 college students who violated campus alcohol policy and were mandated to an alcohol-focused brief advice (BA) session. Participants who reported continued risky alcohol use (4+ heavy drinking episodes and/or 5+ alcohol-related consequences in the past month) six weeks following the BA session were randomized to a brief motivational intervention (BMI; n=211) or assessment only (AO; n=194) condition. Follow-up assessments were conducted 3, 6, and 9months' post-intervention.Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that marijuana user status did not influence drinking outcomes following the BA session. However, hierarchical linear models suggested that marijuana users who were randomized to BMI or AO reported higher levels of binge drinking, pBAC and consequences compared to non-users, regardless of condition. Despite this, heavy drinking marijuana users and nonusers had equivalent reductions on alcohol use outcomes following the BMI sessions. Marijuana users who received a BMI did not significantly reduce marijuana use frequency compared to participants in the AO group.Conclusion: Use of marijuana did not lessen the efficacy of the BA session on alcohol use or consequences. Findings suggest that marijuana users respond similarly to alcohol interventions as do non-users and can benefit from brief or more intensive alcohol interventions. A marijuana-focused intervention may be warranted to facilitate changes in marijuana use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempted to replicate a prior intervention study focused on reducing students' perceptions of cost to enhance their course performance. Undergraduate biology students (N = 147) were randomly assigned to complete a cost-focused intervention or a control condition. The intervention was designed to help students re-attribute their course challenges more adaptively, with a goal that this would help students perceive less cost associated with the challenges. Contrary to hypotheses, the intervention increased students' perceptions of cost at two time points. However, it also predicted higher scores on one of two course exams. Results demonstrate that cost-focused interventions may increase cost in some contexts, pointing to the context-specificity of intervention materials and the importance of replicating successful motivational interventions. However, results also suggest that increased cost does not necessarily correspond to lower academic performance in the context of an intervention aiming to help students re-appraise course challenges. • We conducted a pre-registered replication study of a prior cost-focused motivational intervention. • Confirming hypotheses, the intervention promoted students' exam scores. • Disconfirming hypotheses, the intervention increased students' perceptions of cost. • Results point to the context-specificity of motivational interventions and the importance of replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirically supported treatments for problem gambling tend to be multimodal combining cognitive, behavior and motivational interventions. Since problem gamblers often prefer briefer treatments it is important that interventions adopt strategies that are optimally effective. In this study, 99 community-recruited problem gamblers (74% male, mean age: 47.5 years) were randomized to one of four treatments: six sessions of cognitive therapy, behavior therapy, and motivational therapy or a single-session intervention. The sample was followed up for 12 months post-treatment. In both the Intent-to-Treat and Completer statistical analyses, no significant group differences on key gambling variables (i.e., frequency, expenditures, severity) were found. All four treatments showed significant improvement as a result of treatment that endured throughout the follow-up period. These results, although preliminary, suggest that very brief, single-session interventions may be as effective as longer treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: To review the diabetes literature in order to examine the effect of motivational interventions on treatment outcome as measured by changes in glycated haemoglobin. Methods: Relevant databases were systematically searched for randomised controlled trials in which motivational interventions were examined in relation to treatment outcome in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results: The 13 studies identified for review included 1223 participants diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and 1895 participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The analysis showed a 0.17% (95% CI: −0.09, 0.43%) improvement in glycemic control in people who received a motivational intervention compared to a control group, however, the effect was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The impact of motivational interventions in the management of blood glucose levels appears to be limited. However, due to the small number of studies and issues of heterogeneity caution in interpreting the present findings is advised. Moreover, the unique contribution of motivational interventions may be better assessed by outcomes such as behaviour change and other intermediate outcomes. Further research examining the delivery and focus of motivational interventions in helping people manage their diabetes is recommended. The clinical implications of the present findings are therefore uncertain pending further research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Many students start college intending to pursue a career in the biosciences, but too many abandon this goal because they struggle in introductory biology. Interventions have been developed to close achievement gaps for underrepresented minority students and women, but no prior research has attempted to close the gap for first-generation students, a population that accounts for nearly a 5th of college students. We report a values affirmation intervention conducted with 798 U.S. students (154 first-generation) in an introductory biology course for majors. For first-generation students, values affirmation significantly improved final course grades and retention in the 2nd course in the biology sequence, as well as overall grade point average for the semester. This brief intervention narrowed the achievement gap between first-generation and continuing-generation students for course grades by 50% and increased retention in a critical gateway course by 20%. Our results suggest that educators can expand the pipeline for first-generation students to continue studying in the biosciences with psychological interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basic behavioral and neurobiological research has demonstrated that deficiencies in naturally occurring substance-free rewards are both a cause and a consequence of substance abuse that are due in part to the systematic discounting of delayed substance-free rewards. Existing brief motivational interventions (BMIs) for alcohol abuse do not target this mechanism of change. The goal of this uncontrolled pilot study was to evaluate a behavioral economic Substance-Free Activity Session (SFAS) to traditional alcohol BMIs. Participants were 13 college freshmen who reported two or more heavy drinking episodes ( >5/4 drinks in an occasion for men/women) in the past month. All participants completed a baseline assessment and a BMI that addressed alcohol use. In addition, participants received the SFAS, a 50-min individual session that attempts to increase engagement in constructive alternatives to drinking by enhancing the salience of delayed rewards (academic and career success) and the patterns of behavior (academic and extracurricular engagement) leading to these outcomes. At the 1-month follow-up assessment, participants reported significant reductions in heavy drinking, and moderate to large effect size reductions in weekly drinking and peak blood alcohol levels. The results of this pilot study provide preliminary support for the efficacy of this behavioral economic intervention session as a supplement to traditional alcohol BMIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether attending an extended inpatient detoxification treatment programme for alcohol-dependent patients providing psychotherapeutic interventions and coping skills training (QE) is associated with higher aftercare treatment attendance and higher abstinence rates compared with conventional detoxification treatment (KE). Methods: A total of 117 patients were investigated. (QE sample n=61, KE sample n=56). Patients were followed up for at least 2 months and attendance at different aftercare treatment facilities and drinking behaviour were assessed. Results: At discharge from inpatient treatment patients receiving QE report an increased perceived ability to stay abstinent when confronted with high-risk situations in the future. At follow-up, a higher abstinence rate and a higher frequency of self-help group attendance and outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment were reported in the QE sample. A regression analysis supports the chosen treatment as the main factor for success and rules out a potential sampling bias. Conclusions: Although methodological limitations have to be taken into account, our results suggest that QE provides better chances of treatment success than KE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The co-occurrence of schizophrenia and alcohol use disorders often leads to poor treatment retention and adherence. Both empirical research and statements of best practices suggest that interventions including motivational interviewing principles can enhance treatment engagement and improve outcomes. This article describes a set of exercises used within a motivational enhancement protocol for outpatients with schizophrenia-spectrum and alcohol use disorders. We describe how each exercise was tailored to the target population, and how it is designed to enhance motivation to change and treatment engagement. Examples from clinical transcripts are used to demonstrate how motivational interviewing is adapted to the cognitive, social, and environmental circumstances associated with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]