Investigating ways to improve treatment adherence for opioid use disorder
Official title: Testing the Effects of Contingency Management and Behavioral Economics on Buprenorphine-Naloxone Treatment Adherence Using a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) Design
Funded at University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · NIH-10474683 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help people with opioid use disorder stick to their Medication Assisted Treatment by trying out two different support methods, so if you're starting treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone, your feedback could help make these programs better for everyone!
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | September 28, 2019 |
| Project end | September 19, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2021 |
| Award (this year) | $2,477,571 |
| NIH project number | 4R33AT010604-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10474683 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals initiating treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone for opioid use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not seeking treatment for opioid use disorder or those not eligible for buprenorphine-naloxone therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing adherence to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for individuals with opioid use disorder by testing two behavioral economics interventions. The study will first gather insights from current patients using buprenorphine-naloxone to identify factors affecting their treatment adherence. Based on this data, the researchers will adapt an existing intervention that combines motivational interviewing with substance-free activities, and compare it to a contingency management approach. Both interventions will be evaluated for their effectiveness and acceptability among new patients starting MAT.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved adherence to opioid use disorder treatments, potentially reducing relapse rates and enhancing recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using behavioral economics to improve treatment adherence, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Derefinko, Karen J — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Derefinko, Karen J
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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.