Using animated chatbots to support recovery for people on opioid treatment
Sustaining recovery for people on opioid agonist treatment with conversational agents
This study is testing a friendly smartphone app designed for people in recovery from opioid use disorder, which uses animated characters to offer support and helpful tips for dealing with stress and stigma, while also providing techniques to boost your well-being and keep you engaged in your recovery journey.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10932409 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to help individuals receiving buprenorphine for opioid use disorder by developing a smartphone app that features animated conversational agents. These agents will provide support and guidance to help users cope with stigma, stress, and emotional challenges associated with recovery. Participants will engage with the app to receive cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness exercises, all designed to improve their treatment retention and overall well-being. The goal is to create a supportive digital environment that encourages ongoing engagement with recovery services.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals currently receiving buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder who may struggle with stigma and emotional challenges.
Not a fit: Patients who are not currently undergoing buprenorphine treatment or those who do not have access to smartphones may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment retention and recovery outcomes for individuals on buprenorphine therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with similar digital interventions using conversational agents in supporting health-related challenges.
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.