Smartphone support to help adults experiencing homelessness cut back on drinking
Efficacy of a Smartphone-based Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention to ReduceDrinking among Adults Experiencing Homelessness
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR · NIH-11377468
This project uses a smartphone app that sends timely, personalized messages to help adults experiencing homelessness reduce alcohol use.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (OKLAHOMA CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11377468 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll use a smartphone app that watches for situations or feelings linked to drinking and sends short, tailored messages when you need them most. The messages are driven by an algorithm the team developed from earlier work and are meant to offer coping tips, reminders, and encouragement. The team will recruit adults from shelters and community sites, collect short surveys and app data, and follow participants over time to see how the app works in real life. The app is designed to work on commonly used phones and to be simple for people with varied technical experience.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) who are experiencing homelessness, currently drink alcohol, and can use or be provided access to a smartphone are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without access to a smartphone, those under age 21, or those needing immediate medical detox or inpatient treatment are unlikely to benefit from this app-based approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help people who are unhoused drink less, improve health, and support progress toward housing and recovery goals.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier pilot work from this team showed promising signals, and other smartphone alcohol interventions have had encouraging but mixed results, while just-in-time adaptive messaging remains a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
OKLAHOMA CITY, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR — OKLAHOMA CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BUSINELLE, MICHAEL S. — UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR
- Study coordinator: BUSINELLE, MICHAEL S.
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.