Mobile App Support for Opioid Use Disorder

(MPS Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Laura Chambers, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Brown University

Disqualifiers: No smartphone, Incarcerated, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 6 months

1300 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a mobile app designed to support individuals recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD). The goal is to determine if the app can increase recovery resources, maintain engagement in treatment, and reduce stress-related issues compared to usual support methods. Participants are divided into two groups: one using the app and the other receiving standard support resources. Ideal participants speak English, own a smartphone, and are currently in recovery or treatment for OUD. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to innovative research that could enhance recovery support for others 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.

What prior data suggests that this mobile app is safe for individuals with opioid use disorder?

Research has shown that mobile apps for recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD) are generally safe. One study found that a digital therapy app, when combined with medication like buprenorphine, was both safe and effective for people in treatment. This indicates that mobile apps for OUD are usually well-tolerated.

Another study examined various mobile apps for OUD recovery. It found that while these apps aim to reduce drug use and support sobriety, they often receive low quality ratings. However, this study reported no major safety issues.

Overall, mobile apps for OUD recovery seem to be a safe option for those seeking to support their recovery journey. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Marigold App because it offers a fresh approach to supporting individuals with opioid use disorder. Unlike traditional treatments that often rely on medication-assisted therapy or in-person support groups, this mobile app provides peer support directly through a smartphone. This makes it more accessible and potentially more engaging for users who may not have easy access to in-person resources. The app's innovative, tech-based approach could lead to increased support and better outcomes for individuals struggling with this condition.

What evidence suggests that this mobile app is effective for opioid use disorder?

Research has shown that using a mobile app for peer support can benefit people recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD). In this trial, participants in the Marigold APP arm will join an app-based peer support program. Studies find these app-based programs are popular and frequently used, making them a practical choice for many. Early results suggest these apps can enhance recovery resources, helping to build support and tools for recovery. Additionally, combining app-based support with medication treatment for OUD has been linked to better outcomes, such as longer treatment retention. Overall, using a mobile app for peer support appears promising for those recovering from OUD. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Megan Ranney, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Brown University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking adults over 18 who identify as being in recovery from or treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) and own a smartphone. It's not open to those without an Android or iOS phone, anyone previously enrolled, individuals unable to consent, or people currently incarcerated.

Inclusion Criteria

You have a personal smartphone.

English-speaking

You identify yourself as someone who is recovering from or receiving treatment for opioid addiction.

Exclusion Criteria

You do not own a smartphone that runs on Android or iOS operating system.

Previous enrollment in the study

Currently incarcerated

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the mobile app-based peer support program as an adjunct to usual care

6 months

Online engagement and self-reporting

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in recovery capital and psychosocial effects

6 months

Follow-up surveys at 1, 3, and 6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Mobile Phone App

Trial Overview The study tests a mobile app-based peer support program against usual care for OUD recovery. It aims to see if the app can boost recovery capital, keep patients in treatment longer, and lessen psychosocial stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Marigold APP Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to receive the APP will be enrolled in an app based peer support program

Group II: CONTROL Active Control 1 Intervention

In the control arm participants will receive existing standardized peer recovery support resources from SAMHSA

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Brown University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

480

Recruited

724,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Indiana University

Collaborator

Trials

1,063

Recruited

1,182,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 170 adults with opioid use disorder, those receiving a digital therapeutic alongside standard treatment had significantly higher rates of opioid abstinence (77.3% vs. 62.1%) during the final weeks of treatment.

The digital therapeutic also improved treatment retention, with participants less likely to leave treatment compared to those receiving standard care alone, while showing no increase in adverse events, indicating it is a safe and effective addition to traditional therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and efficacy of a prescription digital therapeutic as an adjunct to buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder. Maricich, YA., Bickel, WK., Marsch, LA., et al.[2022]

A study is being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a smartphone app called OptiMAT as an adjunctive intervention for improving outcomes in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD), specifically targeting individuals in outpatient settings.

The trial will compare two groups: one receiving standard MAT and the other receiving MAT with the OptiMAT app, assessing opioid misuse through urinalysis over a 6-month period, which could lead to better treatment strategies in rural areas heavily affected by the opioid crisis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smartphone intervention to optimize medication-assisted treatment outcomes for opioid use disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Thompson, RG., Bollinger, M., Mancino, MJ., et al.[2023]

The study aims to review the current landscape of mobile apps designed to prevent and manage opioid-related harm, highlighting their potential as a public health intervention.

The review will analyze various aspects of these apps, including their availability across different operating systems, features, target user groups, and user ratings, to assess their effectiveness and usability.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review of Mobile Apps for Prevention and Management of Opioid-Related Harm. Aggarwal, M., Borycki, EM.[2019]

Health information technologies, like mobile phone applications and electronic health records, can improve treatment outcomes for people with substance use disorders by making evidence-based therapies more accessible and easier to implement.

A clinical case demonstrated that using text messaging for communication between a buprenorphine provider and a patient allowed for effective home induction onto buprenorphine, showing a practical application of technology in managing opioid use disorder.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile Phone Messaging During Unobserved "Home" Induction to Buprenorphine. Tofighi, B., Grossman, E., Sherman, S., et al.[2018]

A pilot study involving 26 adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) showed that using the mobile app 'uMAT-R' significantly increased interest in treatment from 32% to 48%.

Participants also reported improved attitudes towards medication-assisted treatment (MAT), with 88% believing the app would be helpful in making recovery decisions, indicating its potential as a supportive tool in addressing the opioid epidemic.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Delivering information about medication assisted treatment to individuals who misuse opioids through a mobile app: a pilot study. Cavazos-Rehg, PA., Krauss, MJ., Costello, SJ., et al.[2021]

The qualitative study involving 20 users of the SURE Recovery app revealed that first impressions, such as trust and personal recommendations, significantly influence the app's uptake among individuals seeking support for substance use issues.

User engagement with the app improved when it provided positive feelings and relevant content, highlighting the importance of incorporating end-user feedback into app design to enhance its effectiveness in addiction recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lessons for Uptake and Engagement of a Smartphone App (SURE Recovery) for People in Recovery From Alcohol and Other Drug Problems: Interview Study of App Users. Neale, J., Bowen, AM.[2022]

A significant increase in Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) diagnoses during pregnancy highlights the need for effective treatment solutions, which this study addresses through feedback from 18 peripartum individuals and 19 obstetric providers.

The development of the Listening to Women and Pregnant and Postpartum People (LTWP) program, informed by qualitative interviews, aims to enhance the implementation of evidence-based Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in prenatal care, although initial feedback indicated a lack of enthusiasm for the web-based intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Listening to women and pregnant and postpartum people: Qualitative research to inform opioid use disorder treatment for pregnant and postpartum people. Guille, C., Hall, C., King, C., et al.[2023]

The study aims to develop the Marigold App, an AI-enabled mobile platform designed to provide secure, 24/7 peer support for individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), addressing the gap in traditional treatment access.

By piloting this app with 40 adults undergoing outpatient buprenorphine treatment, the research will evaluate its usability and effectiveness in enhancing peer support while ensuring safety through AI moderation of chat content.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile Peer-Support for Opioid Use Disorders: Refinement of an Innovative Machine Learning Tool. Scherzer, CR., Ranney, ML., Jain, S., et al.[2022]

In a study of 180 individuals with opioid use disorders in Nairobi, Kenya, 77.2% owned mobile phones, with a high acceptability (95%) for receiving treatment via phone, particularly through text messages.

The study identified key factors influencing the acceptability of digital interventions, including education level, single marital status, smartphone ownership, and employment, which are important for designing effective digital treatment programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile phone ownership, digital technology use and acceptability of digital interventions among individuals on opioid use disorder treatment in Kenya. Kiburi, SK., Paruk, S., Chiliza, B.[2022]

Citations

1. ascpjournal.biomedcentral.com ascpjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13722-025-00549-y

What smartphone apps exist to support recovery from opioid ... Results indicated that delivering peer-support through the app is feasible, acceptable, and well-received, as evidenced by high app usage (64% ...

2. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2827185

Smartphone App–Based Contingency Management and ... These findings suggest that adding app-based contingency management to MOUD is associated with better treatment outcomes in clinical settings.

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05405712

NCT05405712 | Mobile Peer Support for OUD Recovery Peer support is a key component of many evidence-based OUD recovery programs: it improves recovery capital, improves treatment engagement, improves perceived ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11612830/

Smartphone App–Based Contingency Management and ... These findings suggest that adding app-based contingency management to MOUD is associated with better treatment outcomes in clinical settings.

5. centerwatch.com centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT05405712/mobile-peer-support-for-oud-recovery

Mobile Peer Support for OUD Recovery Peer support is a key component of many evidence-based OUD recovery programs: it improves recovery capital, improves treatment engagement, ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7059630/

Mobile Peer-Support for Opioid Use Disorders This present study will develop a novel, artificial-intelligence (AI) enabled, mobile treatment delivery method that fulfills the need for a robust, secure, ...

7. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-opioid-use-disorder-oud-4-2022-b2243

Mobile App Support for Opioid Use Disorder (MPS Trial) Another study highlighted that a digital therapeutic app used alongside medication like buprenorphine was safe and effective for people seeking treatment.