Penny COPILOT texting support for pregnant and postpartum people with opioid use disorder
Official title: Adapting the Penny Chatbot for Perinatal OUD Patients: COPILOT
Run by University of Pennsylvania · NCT06969261 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try a two-way SMS chatbot called Penny COPILOT to provide support and improve engagement for pregnant and postpartum people with opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pennsylvania Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | May 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 28, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06969261 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Biological females who are currently pregnant or within six weeks postpartum, can read and speak English at about a sixth-grade level, and are diagnosed and receiving (or willing to receive) treatment for opioid use disorder at a Penn-affiliated clinic are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
People with current untreated psychosis, mania, or active suicidality, those who cannot use English SMS at the required level, those beyond six weeks postpartum, or those not receiving care at Penn-affiliated sites are unlikely to benefit from this pilot.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Investigators will adapt an existing texting chatbot (Penny) for use by people who are pregnant or within six weeks postpartum and living with opioid use disorder, using intervention mapping guided by implementation science frameworks. The team will perform a needs assessment with interviews, convene an advisory board, and conduct pretesting to ensure safety and refine content. The finalized Penny COPILOT will be pilot tested in about 20 perinatal participants receiving care at Penn to measure acceptability, feasibility, and patient satisfaction. The work emphasizes iterative user-informed design and safety screening before broader deployment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the chatbot could increase access to timely support, reduce loneliness, and help people stay connected with perinatal and OUD care.
How similar studies have gone: Similar SMS and chatbot interventions have shown promise for mental health and substance-use support, but tailoring a two-way chatbot specifically for perinatal OUD is largely novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Biological females who are currently pregnant or within 6 weeks postpartum. * Able to read, write, and speak English at a 6th grade level. * Diagnosed and receiving treatment for, or willing to receive treatment for opioid use disorder. * Receiving prenatal care and OUD care at a Penn affiliated hospital. Exclusion Criteria: -Current untreated psychosis, mania, or active suicidality as assessed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
Where it's running
-
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sara L Kornfield, PhD — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Sara L Kornfield, PhD
- Email: sarakorn@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
- Phone: 1-800-789-7366
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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.