Using a virtual conversational helper to keep people on buprenorphine engaged in care

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized trial will enroll 100 people starting buprenorphine at the Office-Based Addiction Treatment clinic at Boston Medical Center and randomly assign them to a smartphone-delivered embodied conversational agent (ECA) plus technical support, text reminders, and monetary incentives or to usual care without the app. The ECA is an animated virtual agent designed to simulate face-to-face conversations and provide recovery support. Participants complete an in-person baseline visit and telephone follow-ups at 6 and 12 months, with brief contact at 3 and 9 months to confirm contact information. The primary outcome is retention in buprenorphine treatment over 12 months as measured in the electronic health record.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
* Within 30 days of intake at recruitment site (BMC OBAT)
* Possession of a smartphone that has minimum requirements
* English-speaking and reading
* Willing to release electronic health record (EHR) data
* Able to provide at least two alternate contacts who usually know how to get in touch with them
* Currently prescribed buprenorphine from an outpatient clinic

Exclusion Criteria:

* Incarceration anticipated within 12 months of enrollment
* Inability to comprehend the study protocol, defined as failing three times to answer correctly a set of questions during the consent process
* Inability to use the ECA app (i.e., due to markedly limited visual or auditory acuity or motor function required to interact with the ECA)

Where it's running

• Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) Clinic, BMC
  Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Karsten Lunze, MD MPH DrPH — Boston Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Karsten Lunze, MD MPH DrPH
• Email: karsten.lunze@bmc.org
• Phone: 617 414 6933

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.