120 Participants Needed

Motivational mHealth Intervention for Cannabis Use

CM
Overseen ByChristine M Lee, PhD
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Washington
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is developing a new mobile health (mHealth) program to help young adults manage frequent or high-intensity cannabis use. Participants will either receive a five-week motivational text-based intervention or access online educational resources about cannabis. The Brief Motivational Mobile Health (mHealth) Intervention encourages self-reflection on personal goals and cannabis use. Ideal participants are young adults in Washington State who have used cannabis frequently in the past month and are not attending a four-year college.

As an unphased trial, this research offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative findings that may help others manage cannabis use more effectively.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on cannabis use and does not mention other medications.

What prior data suggests that this mHealth intervention is safe for young adults?

Research has shown that mobile health (mHealth) programs are generally easy for participants to use. One study found a short mHealth program helpful and easy to use for reducing cannabis use. Another study discovered that smartphone-based programs effectively engage young adults who use cannabis, encouraging them to reflect on their habits and goals.

Although some digital programs did not reduce cannabis use more than educational materials, users still found them safe and easy to manage. Overall, these mHealth methods provide a safe way to help people reduce cannabis use. Participants often report positive experiences without major side effects.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Brief Motivational Mobile Health (mHealth) Intervention for cannabis use because it leverages technology to make treatment more accessible and personalized. Unlike traditional counseling or medication-based approaches, this intervention delivers motivational support through a web-based program and text messages, which can be accessed anytime and anywhere. This method empowers individuals to engage with the treatment at their own pace, potentially increasing adherence and effectiveness. Additionally, the use of mobile technology can reach a broader audience, including those who may not seek in-person treatment due to stigma or accessibility issues.

What evidence suggests that this mHealth intervention is effective for reducing cannabis use?

This trial will compare a Brief Motivational Mobile Health (mHealth) Intervention with a Psychoeducational Attention Control program. Research has shown that mobile health tools can help reduce cravings and the intensity of cannabis use. One study examined Ecological Momentary Motivational Enhancement Therapy (EM-MET) and found it effective in managing cannabis cravings. However, some digital tools, like smartphone apps, have not consistently outperformed simple educational programs. The success of short interventions for cannabis use varies, with mixed results in reducing use. Despite these mixed findings, mobile health approaches remain promising due to their adaptability and accessibility for young adults.34678

Who Is on the Research Team?

CM

Christine M Lee, PhD

Principal Investigator

leecm@uw.edu

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults aged 18-29 in Washington State who use cannabis frequently or with high intensity, and are not enrolled in a 4-year college. Participants must have used cannabis on at least 15 days in the past month, often twice a day or using products with over 60% THC. They need an email address, mobile phone capable of receiving texts, and internet access.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 29 years old.
I live in Washington State.
I have a valid email address.
See 3 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a five-week self-directed web-based mHealth intervention with text messages or psychoeducational material about cannabis

5 weeks
Weekly online engagement

Follow-up

Participants complete follow-up assessments to monitor cannabis use and related consequences

6 months
Assessments at 3 and 6 months post-program

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Brief Motivational Mobile Health (mHealth) Intervention

Trial Overview

The study tests a new brief motivational mHealth intervention versus an online psychoeducational program for reducing intense cannabis use. Over five weeks, participants will receive text messages prompting reflection on their cannabis use and personal goals or access educational content about cannabis effects.

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Psychoeducational Attention ControlExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Brief Motivational Mobile Health (mHealth) InterventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Washington

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,858
Recruited
2,023,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials
2,658
Recruited
3,409,000+

Citations

Brief Drug Interventions Delivered in General Medical Settings

The current study's findings do not lend meaningful support for the overall effectiveness of BDIs on cannabis consumption or severity when ...

The effectiveness of mobile-based ecological momentary ...

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Ecological Momentary Motivational Enhancement Therapy (EM-MET) in reducing craving and severity of Cannabis ...

Promising digital intervention did not reduce cannabis use ...

This study found that a smartphone app adapted version of standard CBT/MI treatment did not outperform non-interactive online educational modules in assisting ...

Identifying Brief Intervention Factors to Improve Cannabis ...

Prior systematic and meta-analytic reviews observed mixed evidence for the efficacy of cannabis brief interventions (BIs). Inconsistent support for cannabis ...

End User–Informed Mobile Health Intervention Development ...

Background: The rates of cannabis use continue to increase among adolescents and the current interventions have modest effects and high rates of ...

A Remote Brief Intervention Plus Social Media Boosters for ...

In this pilot study, we created a brief intervention (BI), extended with private social media messaging for emerging adult ED patients who use cannabis ...

Developing a mobile-based brief intervention to reduce ...

Behaviour change interventions delivered via smartphones have the potential to reduce youth cannabis use and driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC).

Mobile Health Interventions for Substance Use Disorders

Findings indicated that participants assigned to the OnTrack intervention significantly reduced self-reports of number of drinks, marijuana use episodes, ...