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NCT Number: NCT06733792

A Mobile App to Reduce and/or Quit Cannabis Use

This study aims to develop an App-based intervention (CANQUIT) aimed at regular cannabis users. The efficacy of this intervention will be evaluated in the short-term (1-month follow-up) and long-term (3- and 6-months follow-ups) using a sample of 120 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental arm (App-assisted CBT-based intervention) or the control (App-assisted self-help guide). The study will also estimate the economic impact of the intervention by considering the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) and net benefit (in €) associated with the total cost of the program. The goal is to provide evidence that can inform policy decisions regarding cannabis use and minimize the negative consequences on the physical and mental health of young adults in Spain. This study aims to offer a cost-effective prevention strategy that minimize the negative consequences on the physical and mental health of young adults in Spain.

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Key information

Conditions

Cannabis Dependence Chemically-Induced Disorders Marijuana Abuse Mental Disorders Substance-Related Disorders

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Principality of Asturias, Spain

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About this study

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness in the short (1-month) and long-term (3 and 6 months) of a digitalized intervention (CANQUIT) to reduce and/or quit cannabis among young Spanish adults.

CANQUIT is a 4-week digitalized CBT-based intervention aimed at reducing or ceasing cannabis use among regular cannabis users (at least 1 occasion of cannabis use in the previous month). It is specifically tailored to young adults (18-30 years old). CANQUIT will be available to download both on Apple Store (iOS) and Play Store (Android). Upon completion of the baseline assessment, participants will be randomly assigned 2:1 to either an experimental arm (60 participants: App-assisted CBT-based intervention) or control (60 participants: App-assisted self-help guide). Participants in the experimental arm will be exposed to seven weekly modules, which include: 1) psychoeducation regarding the benefits of ceasing cannabis use, its short and long-term effects and myths associated with its consumption, 2) training in emotion regulation strategies, stimulus control (i.e., alternatives to cannabis use), 3) behavioral activation strategies, and 4) relapse prevention (i.e., assertiveness and problem-solving abilities). Participants will also register daily consumption of cannabis (number of joints) and receive weekly recommendations regarding cannabis use reduction. To ensure adherence to treatment, CANQUIT includes gamification via direct contact with a mental health professional and social interaction with others (through an online chat).

Alternatively, participants allocated to the control group will receive a self-help guide with information based on the contents of the App. This guide will be also available through the App. As in the experimental arm, participants in the control group will also complete 1-month, 3-months and 6-months follow-ups through the App.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Between 18 and 30 years old.
  • At least one occasion of cannabis use in the last month.
  • Access to smartphones (iOS or Android).
  • Access to Internet.

Exclusion criteria

-

Treatment and study plan

CBT-based intervention

Behavioral
  • 1st week: Daily self-report on cannabis and tobacco use, myths regarding cannabis use and its health consequences, motives for cannabis use reduction/quitting, psychoeducation concerning withdrawal symptomatology, therapist's recommendation (progressive reduction of cannabis use).
  • 2nd week: Daily self-report on cannabis and tobacco use, myths regarding cannabis use and its health and behavioral consequences, identification of triggers, alternatives to cannabis use, therapist's recommendation (progressive reduction of cannabis use).
  • 3rd week: Daily self-report on cannabis and tobacco use benefits from quitting cannabis, behavioral activation, diaphragmatic breathing, training in social abilities, strategies to prevent smoking, therapist's recommendation (progressive reduction of cannabis use).
  • 4th week: Daily self-report on cannabis and tobacco use (i.e., nº of joints/cigarettes), high-risk situations for relapse, lapse vs. relapse, coping strategies, relapse prevention plan.

Self-help guide

Behavioral

Psychoeducation on cannabis.

Primary outcomes

  1. Cannabis abstinence

    Time frame: 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PP) at 4-week follow-up (FU), 3-months follow-up (FU), 6-months follow-up (FU)

    • Self-reported point prevalence cannabis abstinence
    • Continuous self-reported cannabis abstinence

  2. Cannabis reduction

    Time frame: 4 weeks follow-up (FU), 3 months follow-up (FU), 6 months follow-up (FU)

    • Self-reported reduction in quantity of cannabis used on a weekly basis (daily joints, number of hashish/marijuana joints, grams)
    • Decreases in self-reported past-month frequency of cannabis use (i.e., once, less than one per week, once/twice per week, 3-4 times a week, 5-6 times a week, every day).

  3. Acceptability

    Time frame: 4-week follow-up (FU)

    Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8). The CSQ-8 is an 8-item questionnaire that evaluates the level of satisfaction with the treatment received by the participants. Scores range between 8-32, with higher scores indicating higher levels of satisfaction.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Changes in legal and illegal substance use

    Time frame: 4 weeks follow-up (FU), 3 months follow-up (FU), 6 months follow-up (FU),

    Self-reported past-month legal and illegal substance use (alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, heroine, amphetamine, ecstasies, hallucinogens, prescription drugs).

  2. Changes in cannabis-related problems

    Time frame: 4-week follow-up (FU), 3-months follow-up (FU), 6-months follow-up (FU)

    Pre to post-intervention changes in cannabis problems as measured by the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R). The CUDIT-R is an 8-item screening test for measuring cannabis-related problems. Scores of 8 or more are indicative of hazardous cannabis use. Meanwhile, scores of 12 or more indicate the participant may present a cannabis use disorder.

  3. Improvement in risk of emotional disorders

    Time frame: Changes in 4-week follow-up (FU), 6-months follow-up (FU)

    Reductions in the severity of symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatization as measured by the Brief Symptoms Inventory-18 (BSI-18). The BSI-18 is an 18-item assessment screening of psychological distress (somatic, anxious and depressive symptomatology). Scores range between 0-72, with higher values indicating higher risk of depression, anxiety and somatization.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Alba González-Roz, PhD, Assistant Professor

CONTACT

[email protected]

+34 985104189

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Alba González-Roz, PhD

Other

Collaborators

  • Delegación del Gobierno para el Plan Nacional sobre Drogas

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy of a Digitalized Selective Prevention Program (App - "CANQUIT") to Reduce and/or Quit Cannabis Use

Acronym: CANQUIT

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Dec 13, 2024
Registry last updated
Mar 30, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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