The Harvard Gazette shares how researchers from Mass General Brigham and Harvard developed a wearable device that can help reduce cravings for alcohol and drugs.
In the study, supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, researchers tested whether a heart rate variability biofeedback device could support substance abuse recovery by conducting a phase 2 clinical trial of 115 adults with severe substance abuse disorder in their first year of recovery. Half the participants got a biofeedback smart patch device (the Lief HRVB Smart Patch), and the other half followed the recovery plan they had in place, such as recovery meetings, psychotherapy, or medicines. Over eight weeks, participants reported their mood, cravings, and any substance use twice a day with their smartphone.