TechMPower for HIV/AIDS and Drug Addiction

(TMP Project Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Columbia University

Disqualifiers: Psychiatric, Cognitive impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests new methods to enhance the delivery of HIV prevention and drug addiction treatments to individuals in jail who are nearing release. It emphasizes using technology and community support to facilitate HIV testing, provide necessary medications, and educate on preventing drug overdoses. The trial targets individuals who have used drugs and may have engaged in activities that increase their risk of HIV before incarceration. Participants should be fluent in English and are expected to be released from jail within the next few months. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions that could improve health outcomes for many transitioning from jail to the community.

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's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What prior data suggests that the TechMPower implementation strategies are safe for improving HIV and SUD care among incarcerated individuals?

Research shows that TechMPower aims to improve healthcare for individuals at risk of HIV and substance use disorder (SUD) in jails. Although specific safety data for TechMPower is unavailable, the trial is in the "Not Applicable" phase. This indicates that the study focuses on enhancing care delivery rather than assessing the risks of a new drug or treatment.

TechMPower employs established methods such as HIV self-testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). These methods are widely used and considered safe. The trial primarily seeks to enhance the delivery of these methods to individuals in jail and after their release.

Since TechMPower utilizes known and approved methods, the risks are expected to be low. Participants will not receive new, untested treatments, which should provide reassurance regarding safety. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about TechMPower because it takes a unique approach to tackling both HIV/AIDS and drug addiction by integrating technology with community-driven strategies. Unlike traditional treatments that focus separately on HIV or substance use disorders, TechMPower combines tech-mediated service delivery with community coalitions and training for service providers. This holistic approach aims to boost HIV and SUD screening and treatment through self-testing and hybrid telehealth and in-person services, increasing accessibility and engagement. By implementing evidence-based strategies, TechMPower could significantly improve prevention and treatment outcomes in ways current treatments haven't achieved.

What evidence suggests that the TechMPower implementation strategies are effective for improving HIV and SUD care among incarcerated individuals?

Research has shown that TechMPower, the treatment under study in this trial, uses proven methods to enhance care for HIV and substance use disorder (SUD). These methods include community groups, tech-based training, and peer support to facilitate access to treatments such as PrEP (a medication to prevent HIV), antiretroviral therapy (ART), and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The goal is to increase testing and connect individuals, especially those at risk of HIV and SUD, including those in or leaving jail, to treatment. This approach aims to simplify testing and treatment initiation both before and after prison release. While specific results are still being gathered, these proven methods suggest potential effectiveness in improving access to care and health outcomes. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Timothy L Hunt, MSW, PhD

Principal Investigator

Columbia University

Victoria A Frye, MPH, DrPH

Principal Investigator

Columbia University

Nabila El-Bassel, PhD

Principal Investigator

Columbia University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals in Ulster County jail who are nearing release and either have or are at risk for HIV/AIDS and substance use disorders. Participants should be willing to engage with tech-mediated services and peer navigation post-release.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants incarcerated are eligible if they report using any illicit drug in the six months prior to incarceration

I am incarcerated and have had unprotected sex or shared syringes, or had an STI in the last 6 months.

I am over 18 and eligible even if incarcerated.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants will be excluded if they are not fluent in English as determined during informed consent for this pilot study, R61.

I do not have any psychiatric or cognitive issues that would prevent me from understanding and participating in the trial.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Implementation

Pilot and refine implementation strategies aimed at improving delivery and uptake of evidence-based practices for HIV prevention/treatment and substance use disorder care among incarcerated individuals.

3 months

Baseline and 3-month follow-up surveys

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including surveys on HIV/SUD behaviors and care engagement.

3 months

3-month follow-up surveys

Training and Service Delivery

Stakeholders receive training in HIV and SUD screening and treatment referral, and participate in coalition workgroup and implementation team.

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• TechMPower

Trial Overview The study tests if TechMPower strategies like community coalitions, tech training/service delivery, and a multidisciplinary team can improve HIV/SUD care among soon-to-be-released inmates. It measures the uptake of HIV testing/treatment, SUD treatment, and overdose education.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: TechMPower Implementation Strategies Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

TechMPower applies evidence-based Implementation Strategies, including: A) data-driven, Community Coalitions and criminal legal system (CLS) focused workgroup informed by the HEALing Communities Study (HCS) Communities That HEAL(CTH intervention); B) Implementation Team led by champions; C) training on optimal person-centered service delivery for service providers/organizations; and D) tech-mediated service delivery, technical assistance, and training to increase: 1) HIV screening/testing via self-testing; 2) SUD screening, brief interview and referral to treatment (SBIRT); and 3) access to and uptake of biomedical HIV and SUD prevention and treatment (PrEP/PEP/ART); overdose education/naloxone distribution \[OEND\], opioid use disorder medication \[MOUD\]) delivered through 4) hybrid linkage (telehealth, face-to-face) to services via Navigation Enhanced Case Management (NCM).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Columbia University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,529

Recruited

2,832,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

University of Pennsylvania

Collaborator

Trials

2,118

Recruited

45,270,000+

Citations

1. sig.columbia.edu sig.columbia.edu/news/techmpower-study-hiv-and-sud-treatment-criminal-justice-involved-individuals-launches

TechMPower Study on HIV and SUD Treatment for Criminal ... TechMPower is a groundbreaking study that aims to prevent and treat HIV and overdose in criminal justice settings through the implementation of a comprehensive ...

2. techempower.com techempower.com/blog/2024/03/04/using-generative-ai-to-drive-corporate-impact/

Using Generative AI to Drive Corporate Impact Conclusion. Generative AI is revolutionizing the way TechEmpower enables corporate innovation and efficiency across a multitude of sectors.

3. techempower.com techempower.com/blog/tag/product/

product Archives – TechEmpower In testing, AI can simulate a multitude of scenarios, predicting performance outcomes and potential failures before they occur, which reduces the risk and cost ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10629072/

Promoting HIV care continuum outcomes among people ... The results from this systematic review demonstrate mixed findings concerning the efficacy of previous HIV care interventions to improve HIV ...

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2306-5729/8/3/45

Multi-Level Analysis of Learning Management Systems ... This article analyzes data on user acceptance for two LMSs (Blackboard and Canvas). The respective data are collected using a questionnaire modeled after the ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8111510/

Leveraging Social Media Activity and Machine Learning for ... Moreover, these findings align with existing literature pointing to the association between methamphetamine use and increased risk for HIV [4-6,10,13]. Most ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0740547222002112

Factors associated with the adoption of evidence-based ... The purpose of this study is to propose and test an integrated model to examine the implementation of HIV testing among drug abuse treatment organizations using ...