Enhancing Addiction Treatment Through Psychoeducation
Official title: Enhancing Addiction Treatment Through Psychoeducation: Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Neuroscience-Informed Mobile App
Run by Virginia Commonwealth University · NCT07178158 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A digital program tests whether neuroscience-based psychoeducation plus games can help people with opioid or stimulant use disorders who are on treatment to improve metacognition and treatment engagement.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Virginia Commonwealth University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Richmond, Virginia) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 23, 2026 |
| Main results expected | April 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | April 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | August 7, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07178158 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults with current DSM-5 opioid and/or stimulant use disorder who are on medication treatment and own a smartphone.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals without smartphone access, non-English speakers, or those with active psychosis, mania, or suicidal ideation may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional study investigates the feasibility of the NIPA program, an app-based psychoeducation and game-based cognitive training designed to raise awareness of cognitive deficits linked to substance use. The program delivers four 20-minute sessions focusing on attention, memory, cognitive flexibility, and impulsivity, with videos, animations, and adapted neurocognitive games. Participants use Metacognium software in addition to their usual treatment, with eligibility limited to adults on medication-assisted therapy for SUDs who own a compatible smartphone. The study excludes individuals with active psychosis, mania, or suicidal/homicidal ideation and non-English speakers. The primary aim is to determine feasibility and potential impact on engagement and cognitive self-awareness within standard care for SUDs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve treatment engagement and cognitive self-awareness, potentially supporting longer abstinence and adherence to therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier similar approaches combining psychoeducation and cognitive training in SUDs have shown feasibility and signals of engagement, but this exact metacognition-focused digital platform is novel in this context.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * current DSM-5 opioid and/or stimulant use disorder * currently on medication treatment for SUD * owning a smartphone with sufficient functionality to download and utilize the NIPA app. Exclusion Criteria: * current psychosis, mania, or suicidal/homicidal ideation * non-English speaking
Where it's running
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jasmin Vassileva, Ph.D. — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Kayla McLean
- Email: mcleankl@vcu.edu
- Phone: (804) 828-8402
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.