Wearable sensors to track medication adherence for opioid use disorder
Official title: MINDER: Wearable sensor-based detection of digital biomarkers of adherence to medications for opioid use disorder
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11094048 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new wearable device called MINDER that helps people with opioid use disorder, like those taking buprenorphine, by tracking their medication use in real-time, making it easier for them and their doctors to stay on top of their treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | June 6, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $644,774 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB033581-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11094048 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are prescribed buprenorphine as part of their treatment plan.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder or those not prescribed buprenorphine may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a wearable sensor system called MINDER that continuously monitors physiological changes to detect adherence to medications for opioid use disorder, specifically buprenorphine. The system includes a custom upper arm band that records data, a mobile app for users, and a portal for clinicians. By utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, the MINDER system seeks to provide real-time insights into medication ingestion, overcoming limitations of current adherence tracking methods. The goal is to deploy this technology in real-world treatment settings to assess its usability and effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved adherence to opioid use disorder medications, reducing the risk of relapse and enhancing patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using wearable technology and AI for monitoring medication adherence, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carreiro, Stephanie P — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Carreiro, Stephanie P
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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.