Music therapy, neural processing, and craving reduction: an RCT protocol for a mixed methods feasibility study in a Community Substance Misuse Treatment Service.

Background: Music therapy has been shown to be effective for multiple clinical endpoints associated with substance use disorder such as craving reduction, emotion regulation, depression, and anxiety, but there are a lack of studies investigating those effects in UK Community Substance Misuse Treatment Services (CSMTSs). Furthermore, there is a demand for identifying music therapy mechanisms of change and related brain processes for substance use disorder treatment. The present study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of music therapy and a pre-test, post-test, and in-session measurement battery in a CSMTS.

Neuroplastic Changes in Addiction Memory-How Music Therapy and Music-Based Intervention May Reduce Craving: A Narrative Review.

Recent findings indicate that Music Therapy (MT) and Music-Based Interventions (MBIs) may reduce craving symptoms in people with Substance Use Disorders (SUD). However, MT/MBIs can lead SUD clients to recall memories associated with their drug history and the corresponding strong emotions (addiction memories). Craving is a central component of SUD, possibly linked to relapse and triggered by several factors such as the recall of memories associated with the drug experience.

Safety and efficacy of transdermal buprenorphine and transdermal fentanyl in the treatment of neuropathic pain in AIDS patients.

Background: Multifactor neuropathic pain is one of the most frequent symptoms in AIDS patients and analgesic treatment is primarily based on the use of drug combination of opioids, tricyclic antidepressants and antiepileptics. However, the chronic use of opioids in AIDS patients presents a risk due to the immunosuppressive action of these drugs. Until now, buprenorphine has been regarded as one of the safest opioid analgesics for the treatment of patients with compromised immune systems.