Keeping people on buprenorphine using a smartphone virtual helper
Sustaining recovery for people on opioid agonist treatment with conversational agents
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11166409
A smartphone app with an animated chat helper designed to support people taking buprenorphine for opioid use disorder stay connected to care and cope with stigma and stress.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11166409 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would use a smartphone app that features an animated conversational agent which talks with you like a coach. The agent delivers acceptance-based coping skills from cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness exercises, educational stories, and interactive activities focused on medication and stigma-related challenges. Participants will interact with the agent and give feedback so the app is easy to use and helpful in real recovery situations. If someone is in crisis or at higher relapse risk, the app can connect them with clinic resources or escalation pathways.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People currently receiving buprenorphine for opioid use disorder who have a smartphone and are willing to use an app-based recovery support tool would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People not on buprenorphine, without reliable smartphone access, or with severe uncontrolled medical or psychiatric conditions may not be helped by this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could help more people stay on buprenorphine longer, reduce relapse risk, and improve coping with stigma and isolation.
How similar studies have performed: Animated conversational agents and acceptance-based stigma interventions have shown promise in prior trials, though this specific smartphone ECA approach for buprenorphine retention is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LUNZE, KARSTEN — BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: LUNZE, KARSTEN
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 below.