Using smartphone apps to prevent relapse in opioid use disorder
Neurocognitive Mechanisms Underlying Smartphone-Assisted Prevention of Relapse in Opioid Use Disorder
This study is testing if a smartphone app can help people in treatment for opioid use disorder avoid relapse by providing support and tracking their location.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 255 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Arkansas Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Little Rock, Arkansas) |
| Trial ID | NCT05336188 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of a smartphone application called OptiMAT in preventing relapse among patients undergoing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the OptiMAT app group or a monitoring-only group, with the primary goal of assessing differences in opioid use over six months. Additionally, a subset of participants will undergo functional neuroimaging to explore the neurocognitive mechanisms that influence treatment outcomes. The study also incorporates location-tracking technology to provide personalized interventions when participants enter high-risk areas for relapse.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who are in the early phase of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
Not a fit: Patients with a history of neurological or cardiovascular diseases, or those who are pregnant, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce relapse rates in patients with opioid use disorder, improving overall treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: While smartphone apps have shown efficacy in reducing other substance use, their effectiveness for opioid use disorder is still being explored, making this a novel approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Sex: male or female * Age: 18 years and older * (MRI sub-study): Age: 18-50 years old * In Phase I treatment of MAT for opioid-use disorder. (Phase I indicates that patient is receiving no more than one week of take-home medications at each weekly clinic visit.) * Must be willing to use a smartphone if randomized to the smartphone intervention arm * (MRI sub-study): Native English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: * (MRI) Medical history: A history of neurological, cardiovascular, or infectious disease would exclude study participation. A loss of consciousness of 20 or more min or other evidence of brain trauma also would be exclusionary. * (MRI) Pregnancy: A positive test for pregnancy prior to fMRI would exclude participation, due to unknown effect of high-field MRI on developing fetus. * (MRI) MRI contraindications: Exclusion criteria for MRI include (1) the presence of non-removable internal (e.g., cardiac pacemakers, aneurysm clips, artificial joints) or external (e.g., piercings, orthodontics) ferromagnetic objects; (2) claustrophobia in a confined MRI environment; (3) medications that interfere with hemodynamic coupling (e.g., beta blockers); (4) hypersensitivity to loud noise; or (5) a body circumference exceeding 60cm due to broad shoulders or morbid obesity
Where this trial is running
Little Rock, Arkansas
- Brain Imaging Research Center — Little Rock, Arkansas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Andrew James, Ph.D. — University of Arkansas
- Study coordinator: Andrew James, Ph.D.
- Email: GAJames@uams.edu
- Phone: 501-526-8345
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.