LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf Hospital of the Heinrich-Heine University ...

3.1.3.2 Dependence disorders
Director: W. Gaebel, W. Wölwer, P. Franke (from 2005),
W. Burtscheidt (until 2004)
Scientific assistants: N. Frommann (2005–2009),
M. Warnecke (from 2008), Th. Nolting (from 2008),
S. Halfmann (2004–2006), B. Eikerling (2004–2006),
E. Kilgus (2003–2007), B. Weinbrenner (2005–2006)
The research group principally deals with the area of
treatment and care research. The primary interest lies in
the investigation of the effect of outpatient behavioural
therapy on relapse prophylaxis in persons with alcohol
dependence as well as medical intervention strategies in the
detoxification and relapse prophylaxis in people dependent
on alcohol or opiates.
Cooperation
s N. Scherbaum, Department of Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy, LVR Clinic Essen, University of
Duisburg-Essen
s W. Maier, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,
University of Bonn
s P. Falkai, T. Wobrock, Department of Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy, University of the Saarland, Homburg/
Saar
s T. Kuhlmann, Psychosomatic Clinic, Bergisch Gladbach
s C. Ohmann, Coordination Centre for Clinical Studies
(KKS), Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf
s M. F. Leweke, Psychiatric Department, University of
Cologne.
Projects
Acamprosate and integrative behavioural therapy in
the outpatient detoxification of individuals with alcohol
dependence (“PITA”)
W. Gaebel, W. Burtscheidt, W. Wölwer, N. Frommann, P.
Franke, E. Kilgus, B. Eikerling, S. Halfmann, B. Weinbrenner
in cooperation with the University Psychiatric Hospitals
of Essen (N. Scherbaum), Bonn (W. Maier, Schütz) and
Homburg (P. Falkai, T. Wobrock), the Psychosomatic Hospital
of Bergisch Gladbach (Thomas Kuhlmann) and the Centre
for the Coordination of Clinical Studies of the Heinrich-Heine
University, Düsseldorf (C. Ohmann)
Project period: 2002–2007
Financing: FMER funding 01 EB 0133
ReseaRch
The overriding aim of the project carried out by the North
Rhine-Westphalia Dependence Research Network was
the experimental investigation of the interaction between
behavioural therapy interventions and the anticraving
substance acamprosate in the outpatient treatment of
persons with alcohol dependence. This was a multi-centre,
prospective, randomised and – regarding medication –
double-blind clinical trial. The hypothesis tested was that (a)
behavioural therapy in combination with acamprosate was
superior regarding rates of abstinence to (b) a combination
of behavioural therapy with placebo and (c) a combination
of acamprosate with supportive talks. Immediately after
detoxification, 371 patients were randomly assigned to
one of the three aforementioned treatment arms at four
participating centres. The inpatient treatment lasted 6
months, followed by a six-month follow-up phase with
investigations every 3 months.
The beneficial effects of the two behavioural therapy
approaches over treatment arm (c) found at the end of the
initial treatment period were not sustained until the end of
the follow-up period; all three treatment arms had a success
rate of approximately 30%. Additional analyses of secondary
endpoints showed that the following factors influence the
success rates: social integration with regard to gainful
employment, comorbid personality disorders, symptoms of
depression and cognitive impairments.
Effectiveness and safety of Vivitrol® in adults receiving
inpatient treatment for alcohol dependence
Participation in the homonymous multi-centre study
commissioned by the company Alkermes
W. Gaebel, P. Franke, M. Warnecke, Th. Nolting in
cooperation with the departmental study service centre
Project period: 2008–2009
Financing: Alkermes
In this multi-centre, prospective, randomised, placebocontrolled,
double-blind Phase IIIb study, the efficacy and
safety of naltrexone i.m. in the post-inpatient treatment
of alcohol dependence will be evaluated over 12 weeks.
Recruiting only started at the end of the period covered by
this report.
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