AI-powered DBT coaching to reduce HIV risk for adults who use substances
Official title: Development and Testing of a Mechanism-Driven Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Coaching Powered by Generative AI: A Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention to Reduce HIV and Substance Use Risks
Funded at Florida State University · NIH-11394167 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scalable, AI-assisted coaching program called Glow helps adults who use substances reduce risky behaviors that can lead to HIV and improve engagement with prevention strategies like PrEP.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,963,500 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2DA066204-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394167 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults 21+ who use substances and are at risk for HIV infection, particularly those who may benefit from AI-assisted, real-time behavioral support.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without substance-use-related HIV risk factors or those unable to engage with mobile or AI-supported interventions may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops and tests a GenAI-enhanced DBT skills coaching delivered in real time to adults who use substances and are at risk for HIV. It uses a Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI) to provide context-sensitive guidance that targets impulsivity and maladaptive coping. The approach builds on prior work showing mobile DBT can improve emotion regulation and HIV self-management, and it aims to reduce substance use and HIV transmission risk while boosting prevention engagement. Feasibility and acceptability of the AI-powered coaching will be studied in real-world settings to inform potential broader implementation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help people who use substances reduce risky behaviors and increase use of HIV prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work in mobile DBT and systematic reviews of GenAI in behavioral health suggest potential benefits, but robust clinical feasibility data are needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida State University
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Liying — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Liying
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.