Effectiveness of broad spectrum approaches to relapse prevention in severe alcoholism: A long-term, randomized, controlled trial of Transcendental Meditation, EMG biofeedback and electronic neurotherapy

Evaluated the relapse prevention efficacies of 1 meditation and 2 relaxation techniques when added to the routine treatment (RTT) program of an alcohol treatment center. 118 chronic, highly transient alcoholics at a residential treatment facility were randomly assigned, following detoxification, to 1 of 4 treatment conditions: an RTT of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and counseling, an RTT coupled with Transcendental Meditation (TM), EMG biofeedback (BF), or electric neurotherapy (NT). Complete abstinence 18 mo after leaving the center was reported by 65% of the TM group and 55% of the BF group compared to 25% for the RTT and 28% for the NT groups. The addition of TM or BF to the routine AA treatment produced large improvements in relapse prevention, and NT had no significant effect on relapse at any point in time.