Peer-delivered behavioral activation to help people with OUD in rural areas using a mobile telemedicine unit
Official title: Peer-Delivered, Behavioral Activation Intervention to Improve Polysubstance Use and Retention in Mobile Telemedicine OUD Treatment in an Underserved, Rural Area
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11389587 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A rural, mobile telemedicine program uses a peer-delivered behavioral activation approach to help people with opioid use disorder who also use other substances stay in treatment and reduce opioid use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $758,784 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057443-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389587 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with OUD in rural areas who use multiple substances and have limited access to traditional buprenorphine care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to mobile telemedicine or those not engaged in substance use treatment may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on people with opioid use disorder living in underserved rural Maryland who face long distances to care. It tests a peer-delivered behavioral activation method delivered through a mobile telemedicine unit to support retention and reduce polysubstance use. The study builds on prior evidence that behavioral reinforcement and telemedicine can improve outcomes, aiming to make treatment more accessible and sustainable in remote communities. If successful, it could offer a scalable approach that combines community support with convenient, on-site care for hard-to-reach patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience better treatment retention and reduced opioid and stimulant use through a practical, accessible care model.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed reduced opioid use with telemedicine and mobile treatment units, but retention with polysubstance use remains a challenge.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Magidson, Jessica F — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Magidson, Jessica F
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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.