016-23 – Comparing treatment outcomes and cortical recovery of detoxification approaches for Alcohol Use Disorder: A longitudinal study using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Introduction: The standard approach to detoxification for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) involves a Medically-Managed Withdrawal (MMW), often administering benzodiazepines to manage harmful withdrawal effects. However, benzodiazepines have been shown to impair cognitive/cortical functions (e.g., memory, inhibitory control, and attention) which are critical for sustained AUD recovery. Transforming Choice (TC) is a charity offering a novel Alcohol-Managed Withdrawal (AMW) programme. The detox follows a personalised tapering-off regime with oral doses of alcohol and continued psychosocial support. An AMW approach may facilitate neurocognitive recovery and greater capacity/motivation for prolonged abstinence. Thus, the aim of the present study is to explore differences in treatment outcomes, cognitive function, and cortical recovery between AMW and MMW services.

Methods: A longitudinal design will be employed, following 70 (AMW=35, MMW=35) treatment-seeking adults with AUD across 4 time-points (baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 36). Three behavioural tasks will be administered to assess cognitive function: The N-Back (working memory), Cue-Switching task (attentional switching), and Go/No-Go task (inhibitory control). Cortical recovery will be assessed during these tasks using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy. Relative concentration changes of haemoglobin oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex will be assessed.

Approach to Statistical Analysis: The primary outcomes of this study are changes in alcohol consumption (treatment outcome), cognitive function, and cortical recovery. Repeated measures analyses will determine changes in the primary outcomes over time and across treatment groups. Regression analysis will identify the extent to which psychosocial variables and cognitive/cortical function are predictive of treatment outcomes.