Using animated chatbots to support recovery for people on opioid treatment
Official title: Sustaining recovery for people on opioid agonist treatment with conversational agents
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-10932409 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $221,624 |
| NIH project number | 5R34DA058124-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932409 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals currently receiving buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder who may struggle with stigma and emotional challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently undergoing buprenorphine treatment or those who do not have access to smartphones may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: Previous research has shown success with similar digital interventions using conversational agents in supporting health-related challenges.
Where this research is happening
-
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.