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Utilizing Traditional Practices

Utilizing Traditional Practices to Decrease Substance Use Among Native Americans

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03164577
Enrollment
62
Registered
2017-05-23
Start date
2017-06-01
Completion date
2019-08-31
Last updated
2019-10-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Substance Use

Brief summary

This study is focused on conducting a stage 1b feasibility pilot trial among 60 AI/AN men and women (for a final sample of 48 at follow-up) in an urban outpatient treatment setting to analyze the potential benefits of Drum-Assisted Recovery Therapy for Native Americans (DARTNA). Dr. Dickerson, Principal Investigator, is collaborating with Dr. Elizabeth D'Amico, co-Investigator, with Sacred Path Indigenous Wellness Center, a community-based organization providing consultative services for American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). A feasibility randomized clinical trial will be conducted within an urban setting and will compare urban AI/AN males and females with AOD disorders who receive DARTNA (n=30) to AI/AN males and females with AOD disorders who receive usual care plus (n=30). Compare outcomes at end of treatment and 3-months post-treatment to gather data that can be used to judge the feasibility of a larger trial, and to plan that trial. Obtain information on (a) clinically significant changes in AOD use, (b) clinically significant changes in mental health, physical health, spirituality, cognition, adoption of 12-step principles and practices, and cultural identification, and (c) estimate covariate correlations, reliability of measures and likely effect sizes.

Detailed description

Alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) is a significant health issue in the United States as rates of AOD use among AI/ANs have continually been high since national data were collected among AI/ANs beginning in the 1980's. In 2013, AI/ANs had the highest rate of AOD dependence and abuse compared with other racial groups. However, very few AOD abuse treatments utilizing traditional based healing, such as drumming, have undergone rigorous scientific research. Drum-Assisted Recovery Therapy for Native Americans (DARTNA) is a new AOD use intervention integrating AI/AN drumming, 12-step philosophy, and concepts focused on the Medicine Wheel. In a recently completed National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)-funded study (R21AT005360), the PI completed key components of DARTNA development (stage 1a) including demonstrating feasibility and acceptability, establishing procedures for therapist adherence procedures, developing a treatment manual, and conducting a pretest among ten AI/AN men (n=5) and women (n=5) with promising preliminary findings. This study is focused on conducting a stage 1b feasibility pilot trial among 60 AI/AN men and women (for a final sample of 48 at follow-up) in an urban outpatient treatment setting to analyze the potential benefits of Drum-Assisted Recovery Therapy for Native Americans (DARTNA). Dr. Dickerson, Principal Investigator, is collaborating with Dr. Elizabeth D'Amico, co-Investigator, with Sacred Path Indigenous Wellness Center, a community-based organization providing consultative services for American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs).

Interventions

BEHAVIORALDrum-Assisted Recovery Therapy for Native Americans (DARTNA)

An intervention that utilizes AI/AN drumming as its core component of treatment.

OTHERUsual Care Plus

Participants randomized to usual care plus will participate in activities for approximately the same amount of time as DARTNA participants. They will engage in health and wellness education session once weekly for 6 weeks. They will also receive care for their alcohol and other drug use, This typically consists individual counseling, group therapy, and AI/AN traditional activities in their community.

Sponsors

RAND
CollaboratorOTHER
University of California, Los Angeles
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1\) self-identify as AI/AN male or female, (2) be seeking treatment for their drug or alcohol dependence; (3) be 18-59 years of age or older; (4) meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (Text Revision) (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for AOD use disorders;

Exclusion criteria

1\. have a mental health or medical history that, in the judgment of the study physician or PI, show no clinically significant contraindications for study participation.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in alcohol and other drug use based on the Timeline Follow BackChange from baseline alcohol and other drug use at end of treatment (42-72 days) and at 3-month follow-up (132-177 days)recent alcohol and other drug use will be tracked

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in physical health status utilizing the Physical health questionnaire (PHQ)Change from baseline physical health status at end of treatment (42-72 days) and at 3-month follow-up (132-177 days)This assessment is a brief self-report scale of somatic symptoms.
Change in Spirituality utilizing the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT): Spiritual Questions Only-ExpandedChange from baseline spirituality at end of treatment (42-72 days) and at 3-month follow-up (132-177 days)This 23-item spirituality scale measures comfort and strength derived from one's spiritual beliefs or connection to God or a Higher Power.
Change in cognitive function utilizing the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog), Version 3Change from baseline cognitive function at end of treatment (42-72 days) and at 3-month follow-up (132-177 days)This 37-item cognitive function scale measures areas associated with cognitive function, including perceived cognitive impairments, comments from others (i.e., observations by others regarding cognition), perceived cognitive abilities, and impact on quality of life.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026