[Characteristics of the autonomic nervous system tests during group psychotherapy of patients with opioid dependence at the stage of induction of remission].

The time-course of changes in vegetative tests was studied in 47 men suffering from stage II opium dependence. The patients' age ranged from 18 to 28 years, with the dependence standing amounting to 1-10 years. Use was made of cardiointervalography to define the vegetative tone, as well as of the vagal and adrenaline tests to explore vegetative responsiveness. The orthostatic test was employed for studying vegetative maintenance of the activity. A group of patients (n = 22) was distinguished, with a positive attitude towards treatment and experienced in group psychotherapy, as was a group of patients (n = 25) with a negative attitude towards therapy and treated with medicaments. The results of the use of the vegetative tests indicate the normalization of the vegetative nervous system in the patients group with a positive attitude towards treatment and experienced in group psychotherapy and allow the conclusion about a greater efficacy of group psychotherapy as compared to the drug treatment in the management of patients suffering from opium dependence.