Rhythmic engagement therapy improved drug use abstinence better than cognitive behavioural therapy among individuals with substance use disorder.

This article focuses on a randomized clinical trial conducted at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency facility in Onitsha, Nigeria, comparing the effectiveness of rhythmic engagement therapy (RET) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in preventing relapse among polydrug users with substance use disorder. RET, a non-pharmacological intervention involving a spinning exercise believed to modulate brain activity and hormone distribution, demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in relapse rates compared to CBT and a control group, as measured by the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) and the Short Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire (SADD). Both RET and CBT were effective in relapse prevention, but RET showed a larger effect size, suggesting it may offer an affordable, non-invasive alternative or complement to existing treatments, especially in low- and middle-income settings. The study recommends further large-scale research to validate RET's efficacy and potential integration into routine relapse management protocols.