Objectives: This systematic review aimed to understand the current state of the art about the effectiveness of mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) on individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), taking into account not only SUD variables (e.g., cravings, frequency of use) but also other relevant clinical variables (e.g., anxiety and depressive symptoms, quality of life). Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted to identify studies that investigate MBRP interventions on individuals with SUD. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were synthesized and assessed using systematic review methods. Results: Thirteen studies were included in the present review. The methodological quality of the included studies was moderately strong. Nine studies (69.2%) used the traditional 16 h MBRP program. Six studies (46.1%) chose to use a co-intervention treatment ranging from the treatment as usual (TAU) to cognitive behavioral therapy. All but one study indicated that their interventions produced positive effects on at least one addiction outcome measure. None of the interventions were evaluated across different settings or populations. Conclusions: Despite some heterogeneity regarding the type of MBRP program used, results support the effectiveness of these interventions in the SUD population, especially in reducing cravings, decreasing the frequency of use, and improving depressive symptoms.

As a chronic disease with consistent relapse rates, substance use disorders (SUD) require a continuity-of-care approach. Unfortunately, many patients do not have access to continuing care. This systematic review analysed the current scientific knowledge to better understand if app-based smartphone interventions can be an effective alternative. The databases Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO were used to find experimental and quasi-experimental studies investigating the effectiveness of a smartphone intervention in individuals who had completed treatment for SUD. After removing duplicates, a total of 1488 studies were screened, with 48 being selected for a full-text review. Four studies met all the criteria, with one other being added by identification through other resources, making a total of 5 studies included in the present review. Out of the four studies using a control group, only one found no significant differences in favour of the experimental group. That study used an active control group and compared the smartphone intervention to its therapeutic group equivalent. There were no significant differences between the two experimental groups. Overall, the results indicate that app-based smartphone interventions can be an effective alternative to traditional forms of continuing care. However, literature is still scarce, and more research needs to be made on this subject. This systematic review is registered at PROSPERO with the identifier [CRD42021272070].

Digital interventions can increase the reach and continuity of physical activity promotion, but evidence remains fragmented across mental health and addictive behaviors. We conducted a comprehensive integrative review supported by structured searches (2015–2026) in biomedical, psychological, multidisciplinary and technology-oriented databases, complemented by backward/forward snowballing. Eligible studies included digital interventions in which physical activity (or sedentary reduction) was a core component and those that reported mental health outcomes (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress, and well-being) and/or addiction-related outcomes (e.g., craving, consumption, lapses/relapse, and treatment retention). We synthesized findings thematically by intervention typology (apps, wearables, hybrid models with human support, and adaptive approaches) and by key active ingredients (goal setting, self-monitoring, feedback, reinforcement, planning, and engagement strategies). Overall, most studies targeted mental health outcomes and used app-based multicomponent programs, sometimes complemented by wearables, with generally short follow-up and heterogeneous engagement metrics. Evidence in addictions was more context-specific and concentrated in alcohol treatment and opioid agonist therapy settings, supporting feasibility and a plausible role for physical activity as a coping strategy. Advanced personalization frameworks (EMA/EMI/JITAI) provide a clear implementation pathway but are less consistently operationalized when physical activity is the central therapeutic component. This review highlights practical design recommendations and research priorities for scalable, safe, and equity-oriented digital physical activity interventions in mental health promotion and relapse prevention.

The last years have seen a paradigm shift concerning addictive disorders, indicating the necessity to study alternative therapeutic models. In this longitudinal study, the objective was to explore the impact of the Change & Grow^® therapeutic model developed and used by VillaRamadas on certain psychological variables that frequently appear associated with addiction. A repeated measures (first and last weeks of treatment) design was used, and the psychological measurements were Beck’s Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Suicide Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Results include 26 (16 male and 10 female) patients. Age varied between 17 and 64 years (M = 35.62, SD = 12.60) and duration of treatment between 91 and 193 days (M = 147.35, SD = 27.05). The MoCA total result was significantly higher in the last week of treatment. The results of BDI-II, SIQ, and STAI (both state and trait) were all significantly lower. Neither duration of treatment nor self-reported motivation presented significant correlation values with the difference between measures for any of the variables. The Change & Grow^® therapeutic model appears to have an impact on relevant psychological variables in patients admitted into treatment for addictive disorders.

Digital interventions can increase reach and continuity of physical activity promotion, but evidence remains fragmented across mental health and addictive behaviors. We conducted a comprehensive integrative review supported by structured searches (2015–2026) in biomedical, psychological, multidisciplinary and technology-oriented databases, complemented by backward/forward snowballing. Eligible studies included digital interventions in which physical activity (or sedentary reduction) was a core component and that reported mental health outcomes (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress, well-being) and/or addiction-related outcomes (e.g., craving, consumption, lapses/relapse, treatment retention). We synthesized findings thematically by intervention typology (apps, wearables, hybrid models with human support, and adaptive approaches) and by key active ingredients (goal setting, self-monitoring, feedback, reinforcement, planning, and engagement strategies). Overall, most studies targeted mental health outcomes and used app-based multicomponent programs, sometimes complemented by wearables, with generally short follow-up and heterogeneous engagement metrics. Evidence in addictions was more context-specific and concentrated in alcohol treatment and opioid agonist therapy settings, supporting feasibility and a plausible role for physical activity as a coping strategy. Advanced personalization frameworks (EMA/EMI/JITAI) provide a clear implementation pathway, but are less consistently operationalized when physical activity is the central therapeutic component. This review highlights practical design recommendations and research priorities for scalable, safe, and equity-oriented digital physical activity interventions in mental health promotion and relapse prevention.