Mobile App Support for Opioid Use Disorder

(MPS Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Sarah Wiehe, MD, MPH

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

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The COVID-19 pandemic puts individuals recovering from opioid use disorders (OUDs), an already vulnerable population, at increased risk of overdose due to decreased access to treatment, decreased social support, and increased psychosocial stress. This proposal will test the efficacy of a promising mobile app-based peer support program, compared to usual care, in increasing recovery capital, improving retention in treatment, and reducing psychosocial adverse effects, among a national sample of people in recovery from OUD. If effective, it would provide an accessible, personalized, and scalable approach to OUD recovery increasingly needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 data supports the idea that Mobile App Support for Opioid Use Disorder is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that mobile app support can be an effective treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. One study found that a mobile app called 'uMAT-R' helped improve knowledge about medication-assisted treatment, which is a common barrier to starting treatment. Another study highlighted that a digital therapeutic app used alongside medication like buprenorphine was safe and effective for people seeking treatment. Additionally, mobile peer-support apps can help people engage more with their recovery process and reduce the chance of relapse by providing a platform for interaction with others who are also recovering. These apps can be especially useful for those who have limited access to traditional treatment options. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for mobile app support in opioid use disorder treatment?

The research provided does not directly address safety data for mobile app support in opioid use disorder treatment. However, it mentions the potential of mobile health technologies to assist in managing opioid-related harm and the use of digital therapeutics as an adjunct to traditional treatments. The safety and efficacy of a digital therapeutic were evaluated in a clinical trial (NCT00929253), but specific safety data for mobile apps like Mobile Peer Support App or Peer Recovery Support App is not detailed in the provided abstracts. ^{2 5 6 7 8}

Is the Mobile Phone App a promising treatment for Opioid Use Disorder?

Yes, the Mobile Phone App is a promising treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. It provides accessible and low-cost support, helps people understand medication-assisted treatment, and offers peer support, which can improve recovery and reduce relapse. ^{1 3 5 7 9}

Research Team

Megan Ranney, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Brown University

Eligibility Criteria

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

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

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

Previous enrollment in the study

Currently incarcerated

Timeline

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Delivering information about medication assisted treatment to individuals who misuse opioids through a mobile app: a pilot study. [2021]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and efficacy of a prescription digital therapeutic as an adjunct to buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile Peer-Support for Opioid Use Disorders: Refinement of an Innovative Machine Learning Tool. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smartphone intervention to optimize medication-assisted treatment outcomes for opioid use disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. [2023]

5. Netherlands 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. [2023]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review of Mobile Apps for Prevention and Management of Opioid-Related Harm. [2019]

7. Canada 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. [2022]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile Phone Messaging During Unobserved "Home" Induction to Buprenorphine. [2018]

9. Switzerland 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. [2022]