TECH App for Cannabis Use

(TECH Trial)

Not currently recruiting at 3 trial locations

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Northwestern University

Disqualifiers: Psychosis, Cognitive impairment, Visual impairment

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests an experimental smartphone app called TECH, designed to help teens in the court system reduce or quit marijuana use. The app provides a private online community where teens can support each other in changing their substance use and behavior. The researchers aim to understand how the app might help teens make positive changes and to improve the app itself. Teens who have used cannabis in the past year and have a smartphone may be a good fit for this study. Participating in this unphased trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could benefit many teens in the future.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the TECH App is safe for teens?

Research shows that the TECH app helps teens reduce or stop marijuana use. This digital tool connects teens with others to change their habits. Studies have shown that teens in the juvenile legal system helped create the app, ensuring it meets their needs and is easy to use.

There is no direct evidence of safety concerns because the TECH app is not a medical treatment or drug. Instead, it serves as a supportive tool. As a smartphone app, it lacks the side effects or risks associated with medication. However, like any online tool, responsible use and setting privacy settings are important to protect users' information.

Overall, the TECH app provides a safe space for teens to reduce cannabis use with peer support in a secure online community. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the TECH App for managing cannabis use because it offers a digital, personalized approach that differs from traditional methods like counseling or medication. Unlike standard treatments, the TECH App provides real-time support and tracking directly through a smartphone, making it more accessible and convenient for users. This innovative approach could enhance engagement and adherence, potentially leading to more effective management of cannabis use.

What evidence suggests that the TECH App is effective for reducing cannabis use?

Revised FAQ Answer:

Initial findings suggest that the TECH app, available to participants in this trial alongside usual treatment, could help teens reduce cannabis use. Studies have shown that the app provides a supportive online community where teens collaborate to change their habits. Specifically, the app has shown promise in helping court-involved teens make positive changes. Early research indicates that technology like this can facilitate marijuana reduction among teens. While more data is needed, the approach of using real-time support and peer interaction remains encouraging. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for teens aged 14-18 who have used cannabis in the past year, can speak and read English, have access to a smartphone, and if under 18, can provide parental consent. Teens with conditions like psychosis or visual impairments that would make using an app difficult cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Have access to a smartphone

Self-report past-year cannabis use

If a minor, able to provide parental consent and child assent

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have any mental, cognitive, or visual impairments that would prevent me from using a mobile app.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Phase 3 Pilot RCT

Conduct a pilot randomized control trial with 60 CINI youth to test the TECH app (TAU+TECH) relative to TAU-only

6 months

Baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month assessments

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• TECH App

Trial Overview The study tests an experimental smartphone app called TECH designed for court-involved adolescents to help reduce or quit marijuana use. It offers a private online community where they can anonymously work on changing their substance use behaviors.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: TAU + TECH Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Treatment as usual, plus TECH app

Group II: TAU-only Active Control 1 Intervention

Treatment as usual

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northwestern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,674

Recruited

989,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

Brown University

Collaborator

Trials

480

Recruited

724,000+

Rhode Island Hospital

Collaborator

Trials

275

Recruited

71,400+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study analyzing over 353,000 Twitter posts from 2020 found that a medical dictionary could identify health-related motivations for cannabis use in 20.4% of posts and health consequences in 10.8% of posts, indicating a significant presence of health discussions surrounding cannabis.

The findings suggest that social media data can be a valuable tool for monitoring cannabis-related health conversations, which could aid regulatory agencies in identifying safety signals, although further development of specific tools is needed for better accuracy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Identifying Health-Related Discussions of Cannabis Use on Twitter by Using a Medical Dictionary: Content Analysis of Tweets. Allem, JP., Majmundar, A., Dormanesh, A., et al.[2022]

The systematic scoping review analyzed 42 studies that utilized user-generated content, such as social media and internet searches, to explore the medicinal use of cannabis, highlighting its potential as a valuable data source for understanding public perceptions and usage patterns.

The review emphasizes the need for systematic evaluation of social media studies and suggests that computational methods, like machine learning, can enhance the analysis of large datasets, aiding in pharmacovigilance for cannabis and other new therapeutics.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social media discourse and internet search queries on cannabis as a medicine: A systematic scoping review. Hallinan, CM., Khademi Habibabadi, S., Conway, M., et al.[2023]

A systematic review of 133 studies involving children and adolescents (ages 10-18) found that increased knowledge and perception of the risks associated with cannabis use are linked to lower current use and intent to use in the future.

Legislative changes regarding recreational marijuana often led to a decrease in perceived risk among adolescents, highlighting the need for public health strategies to enhance knowledge about the potential health harms of cannabis use.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adolescents' Cannabis Knowledge and Risk Perception: A Systematic Review. Harrison, ME., Kanbur, N., Canton, K., et al.[2023]

The Storytelling 4 Empowerment (S4E) app was found to be highly acceptable and feasible for both youth and clinicians, with 86.9% of youth and 85.7% of clinicians participating in the study, indicating strong engagement in a community health clinic setting.

Post-intervention, all youth who had previously engaged in condomless sex or had never been tested for STIs or HIV were tested, suggesting that S4E effectively improved STI/HIV testing uptake and may enhance knowledge and self-efficacy regarding sexual health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A multilevel mHealth drug abuse and STI/HIV preventive intervention for clinic settings in the United States: A feasibility and acceptability study. Cordova, D., Mendoza Lua, F., Muñoz-Velázquez, J., et al.[2023]

A review of 42 studies found that consumers frequently use social media to share experiences and information about medicinal cannabis, viewing it as a safe and natural treatment for various health issues like chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders.

While social media provides valuable insights into consumer perceptions and experiences with medicinal cannabis, the information can be biased and lacks robust scientific backing, posing challenges for health professionals in delivering accurate health information.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using Social Media Data to Investigate Public Perceptions of Cannabis as a Medicine: Narrative Review. Khademi, S., Hallinan, CM., Conway, M., et al.[2023]

The digital intervention ICan, which incorporates motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy, was more effective than standard educational information in reducing the amount of cannabis used over a 3-month period, showing a significant reduction in grams used (P=0.009).

However, by the 6-month follow-up, both the ICan and control groups showed similar reductions in the number of cannabis use days, indicating that while ICan had initial benefits, its long-term effectiveness in reducing frequency of use was not significantly different from the control group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A guided digital intervention to reduce cannabis use: The ICan randomized controlled trial. Olthof, MIA., Goudriaan, AE., van Laar, MW., et al.[2023]

In a study of 2500 Czech adolescents aged 11 to 16, over half (58.21%) reported using mobile health (mHealth) apps, with older age, higher physical activity, and better eHealth literacy being key factors associated with their use.

Adolescents with higher BMI, health anxiety, and lower sleep quality were more likely to use mHealth apps for tracking calorie intake and health indicators, highlighting the potential role of these apps in managing health concerns.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Individual and Parental Factors of Adolescents' mHealth App Use: Nationally Representative Cross-sectional Study. Gulec, H., Smahel, D.[2023]

A study involving 104 young adults with first episode psychosis and cannabis use disorder revealed a strong preference for moderate intensity interventions (15-minute modules) and weekly feedback on cannabis use, highlighting the importance of patient engagement in treatment.

The findings guided the development of iCanChange (iCC), a smartphone app designed to provide tailored interventions for cannabis use disorder, which is currently undergoing clinical testing.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating preferences for online psychological interventions to decrease cannabis use in young adults with psychosis: An observational study. Tatar, O., Abdel-Baki, A., Dyachenko, A., et al.[2023]

Digital interventions, such as online brief motivational interventions and cognitive behavioral therapy, can effectively reduce problematic cannabis use, as shown in a systematic review of four high-quality studies involving 1,928 participants.

The analysis indicated a small but positive effect size (0.11) at a 3-month follow-up, suggesting that these digital approaches can help increase accessibility to treatment for individuals with cannabis-related issues outside traditional healthcare settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Digital Interventions for Problematic Cannabis Users in Non-Clinical Settings: Findings from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Hoch, E., Preuss, UW., Ferri, M., et al.[2023]

Mobile health (mHealth) approaches, including self-report tools, GPS tracking, and wearable sensors, show promise for detecting substance use disorders in adolescents and young adults, but more extensive studies are needed to confirm their accuracy.

Combining detection methods with real-time interventions like mindfulness and education has been effective, and young adults have shown high acceptance of these mHealth strategies, indicating a potential for widespread use.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

mHealth for the Detection and Intervention in Adolescent and Young Adult Substance Use Disorder. Carreiro, S., Chai, PR., Carey, J., et al.[2022]

The Substance Abuse Research Assistant (SARA) app aims to improve engagement in substance use data collection among adolescents and young adults by using various strategies, such as virtual rewards and motivational messages, during a one-month trial with 73 participants.

This study is innovative as it systematically tests different engagement strategies to find the most effective ones for keeping users involved in reporting their substance use, which could lead to better interventions for reducing substance use in youth.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Toward Increasing Engagement in Substance Use Data Collection: Development of the Substance Abuse Research Assistant App and Protocol for a Microrandomized Trial Using Adolescents and Emerging Adults. Rabbi, M., Philyaw Kotov, M., Cunningham, R., et al.[2023]

A smartphone app designed for drug use prevention among Hispanic youth showed significant effectiveness, with participants reporting less increase in alcohol, marijuana, and polydrug use over a 3-year follow-up period compared to a control group.

The app not only reduced substance use but also improved participants' mental health and coping skills, as well as their ability to refuse offers of drugs, indicating that tailored, skills-based interventions can be beneficial for this demographic.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Longitudinal Outcomes of a Smartphone Application to Prevent Drug Use Among Hispanic Youth. Schwinn, TM., Fang, L., Hopkins, J., et al.[2022]

A study of 59 cannabis-related mobile apps revealed that the most common content areas were cannabis strain classification (33.9%), facts about cannabis (20.3%), and games (20.3%), indicating a focus on informational and recreational use rather than health-related issues.

Only 3% of the apps provided information on cannabis abuse, addiction, or treatment, highlighting a significant gap in resources for users seeking help or guidance on these important topics.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cannabis Mobile Apps: A Content Analysis. Ramo, DE., Popova, L., Grana, R., et al.[2023]

A study involving 37 adolescents aged 14 to 17 revealed that app-based interventions for cannabis cessation could be more effective if they include rewards, self-monitoring features, and peer support, which resonate with the daily experiences of young users.

Key elements for engagement in the app included privacy, customizable notifications, and familiar interfaces, suggesting that tailoring interventions to adolescent preferences may enhance treatment retention and effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

End User-Informed Mobile Health Intervention Development for Adolescent Cannabis Use Disorder: Qualitative Study. Bagot, K., Hodgdon, E., Sidhu, N., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05979272

TECH App Marijuana Use Intervention for Court-Involved ... This app is a private online community where teens can work towards changing their substance use and other behavior with the help of other anonymous teens.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8957005/

Developing a Smartphone-Based Adjunct Intervention to ... Phase III results will offer a preliminary indication of the effectiveness of the TECH app in reducing cannabis use among CINI youth. International Registered ...

3. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10802-025-01370-6

User-centered Design of an Adjunct Smartphone App to ... This multiphase work details development of the TECH (Teen Empowerment through Computerized Health) app, a tailored digital adjunct to usual JLS ...

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35275086/

Developing a Smartphone-Based Adjunct Intervention to ... Phase III results will offer a preliminary indication of the effectiveness of the TECH app in reducing cannabis use among CINI youth.

5. semanticscholar.org semanticscholar.org/paper/b8eb960937fdf865b8fd5c76d13bfc73c13eeccd

Real-time, contextual intervention using mobile technology ... Real-time, contextual intervention using mobile technology to reduce marijuana use among youth: a pilot study.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12422710/

User-centered design of an adjunct smartphone app to ... The TECH app, developed with input from diverted youth, is a digital tool to reduce cannabis use among youth diverted from the juvenile legal ...

7. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/395389906_User-centered_Design_of_an_Adjunct_Smartphone_App_to_Reduce_Cannabis_Use_among_Youth_Diverted_from_the_Juvenile_Legal_System

User-centered Design of an Adjunct Smartphone App to ... This multiphase work details development of the TECH (Teen Empowerment through Computerized Health) app, a tailored digital adjunct to usual JLS ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/379896576_Digital_Interventions_for_Recreational_Cannabis_Use_Among_Young_Adults_Systematic_Review_Meta-Analysis_and_Behavior_Change_Technique_Analysis_of_Randomized_Controlled_Studies

Digital Interventions for Recreational Cannabis Use Among ... We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and active ingredients of digital interventions designed specifically for cannabis use among young adults living in the ...