Oral saliva testing to detect recent cannabis use in young adults.
Oral Fluid Testing to Assess Cannabis Non-Use in Remote Clinical Trials
This project will test whether at-home saliva tests can detect recent cannabis use in 18-to-30-year-olds who use cannabis at least once a week.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Boston Children's Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT06891235 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This fully virtual study will enroll a community sample of 200 people aged 18–30 who report cannabis use at least once per week. Participants complete three video visits over about 3–4 weeks, provide urine tests, complete Timeline Follow-back interviews, and perform daily at-home, video-recorded oral fluid (saliva) tests. Researchers will compare oral fluid results with urine THC-COOH and self-reported use to see if saliva testing can indicate cannabis use days remotely. Participants must own a device capable of videoconferencing and must have a positive urine THC-COOH result to proceed with oral fluid testing.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are 18–30-year-olds who used cannabis at least once per week in the past 30 days, can read and speak English, own a video-capable device, and are available for a 3–4 week virtual protocol.
Not a fit: People who do not use cannabis regularly, are outside the 18–30 age range, lack a video-capable device or English proficiency, refuse to provide contact information, or have a negative urine THC-COOH result will likely not receive benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable reliable remote saliva-based detection of recent cannabis use without requiring in-person clinic visits.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has used oral fluid to detect THC with mixed sensitivity compared with blood or urine, so the approach has some precedent but is not yet fully validated for remote monitoring.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 to 30 years * Cannabis use on \>=1x/week in the past 30 days * Ownership of a portable device that is capable of videoconference and videorecording (i.e., smartphone, tablet computer, or laptop computer) * Ability to read and speak English * Availability for duration of the study (3-4 weeks). * To proceed to oral fluid testing, positive result for urinary TCH-COOH Exclusion Criteria: • Inability/unwillingness to provide contact information
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Lydia A Shrier, MD, MPH
- Email: lydia.shrier@childrens.harvard.edu
- Phone: (617) 355-8306
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.