OSPAT has featured in a research paper published by the American Psychological Association. The study, managed by Dr David A. L. Newcombe, University of Auckland, examines psychomotor impairment in patients administered plasma methadone and levo-alpha-acetylmethadol during opioid substitution treatment.
Sixteen patients undergoing treatment and 10 healthy controls used OSPAT as part of a battery of cognitive behavioural tests.
“This study suggests that patients who have been maintained on opioid drugs for long periods of time may experience impairment on certain behavioural tasks at around the time of their highest blood drug concentration. These patients should be warned that their ability to drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery may be impaired at this time.” Newcombe, David A. L.; Somogyi, Andrew A.; Bochner, Felix; White, Jason M. (April 17, 2017). Impaired psychomotor function and plasma methadone and levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) concentrations in opioid-substitution patients. Retrieved from http://psycnet.apa.org/?&fa=main.doiLanding&doi=10.1037/pha0000114