Sustaining Recovery for People on Opioid Agonist Treatment With Conversational Agents
Boston Medical Center
Summary
This study aims to improve retention in buprenorphine treatment, a medication used for opioid use disorder, through the use of a smartphone-delivered recovery support intervention. The intervention involves an Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA), a virtual, animated computer agent designed to simulate natural face-to-face conversations. ECAs have been shown to help individuals manage their healthcare in other settings, and this study seeks to evaluate their potential in supporting patients on medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
Description
One hundred participants will be enrolled in the study from the Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) clinic at Boston Medical Center (BMC). The participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. In the intervention group, participants will engage in ECA use and will receive (1) technical support, (2) text message reminders, and (3) monetary incentives. Alternatively, participants will be randomized to the treatment as usual group where they do not access the ECA application. Assessments will be conducted in person at baseline and over the phone at 6 months and 12 months. At 3 and…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) * Within 30 days of intake at recruitment site (BMC OBAT) * Possession of a smartphone that has minimum requirements * English-speaking and reading * Willing to release electronic health record (EHR) data * Able to provide at least two alternate contacts who usually know how to get in touch with them * Currently prescribed buprenorphine from an outpatient clinic Exclusion Criteria: * Incarceration anticipated within 12 months of enrollment * Inability to comprehend the study protocol, defined as failing three times to answer corre…
Interventions
- OtherEmbodied conversational agent (ECA)
The app with the ECA will be provided.
- OtherTechnical support
Technical support will include assistance downloading and setting up the app on the participant's phone, walking them through a brief demonstration, and answering any questions the participant has about how to use the app.
- OtherAdditional ECA messages
Weekly text messages will be provided reminding participants to use the app on behalf of OBAT clinical staff.
- OtherAdditional incentives
Additional incentives will be provided after logging into the app for 20 days followed by monthly lotteries for those who log in 15 days per month
Location
- Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) Clinic, BMCBoston, Massachusetts