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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT04162132

Contingency Management Using Smartphone App in Patients With SUD

The purpose of this research study is to test the acceptance and efficacy of a smartphone app (DynamiCare Rewards) for patients with substance use disorder (SUD) who are in active treatment and recovery at BrightView.

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Key information

Conditions

Substance Use Disorders Chemically-Induced Disorders Mental Disorders Substance-Related Disorders

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

BrightView

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45206, United States

About this study

The purpose of this research study was to test the acceptance and efficacy of a smartphone app (DynamiCare Rewards) for patients with substance use disorder (SUD) who are in active treatment and recovery at BrightView (www.brightviewhealth.com). Patients performed self-tracking of their recovery behavior (e.g., counseling attendance, abstinence from drugs and alcohol) addiction recovery behavior using the DynamiCare app, which follows Contingency Management (CM) model of incentivizing positive behavior.

CM is shown as a highly effective, evidence-based methodology for improving substance use disorder (SUD) outcomes. It does so by activating the brain's reward and inhibitory systems through both positive and negative reinforcement using immediate, concrete incentives in a progressive reinforcement schedule. CM involves setting frequent (>1/week), objective goals (usually abstinence or participation in treatment), which patients can achieve to earn tangible rewards (such as cash or vouchers). The DynamiCare smart phone app (iOS/Android) uses CM to incentivize patients to attend scheduled appointments and to submit negative alcohol and drug tests as they are rewarded for these behaviors. The intentions of this project were to assess whether use of the smartphone app as an add-on to treatment as usual could increase treatment retention, increase the percentage of appointments that were kept, and if substance use could be reduced for patients using the app.

Patients were enrolled in the study on a rolling basis from Jan 25, 2019 to March 29, 2019 until the desired cohort group # was reached (n=108). The intervention period (period of time when patients actually used the DynamiCare app) lasted four months from the date of their enrollment.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • >18 years old
  • Substance use disorder (SUD) as a primary diagnosis
  • Have and use an Android or iOS smartphone with acceptable capability
  • Are willing to participate in home testing and use of the smartphone
  • Speak and read the English language adequately to understand smartphone commands and responses
  • Are willing to be randomly assigned to receive treatment with or without the smartphone app as an added feature.

Exclusion criteria

  • N/A

Treatment and study plan

Smartphone APP

Device

Study procedures related to the DynamiCare Rewards intervention were conducted via smartphone. Research visits included collection of urine samples and medical exams. Participants assigned to the DynamiCare Rewards group received: 1) the app on their smartphone, 2) drug testing devices when indicated (pocket-sized breathalyzer), and a reloadable debit card for receiving the financial incentives (the PEX debit card). Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking was used to track whether patients had attended their scheduled appointments but was not used at any other times. All information was uploaded from the app onto the DynamiCare Analytics website, which treatment providers could view. The information reported was: attendance status of appointments, the status of all alcohol and drug testing, and incentives earned. Each patient's intervention period (period of time when they used the app) lasted four months from the date of their enrollment.

Primary outcomes

  1. Attendance

    Time frame: 4 months

    The DynamiCare smart phone app was used to see whether the percentage of scheduled appointments could be increased by using the app. As measured by % of attendance of medical and clinical appointments compared to controls.

  2. Substance Use

    Time frame: 4 months

    The DynamiCare smart phone app was used to see if use of the app could reduce substance use as measured by urine toxicology results. Measured percentage of patients using the app testing consistent only for prescribed substances in random clinical urine tests compared to controls.

  3. Retention

    Time frame: 4 months

    The DynamiCare smart phone app was used to see if treatment retention could be increased when the app was added to treatment as usual. Measured as the percent of patients who are still active in the DynamiCare app and attending treatment sessions after 1, 2, 3, and 4 months compared to controls.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

BrightView LLC

Industry

Collaborators

  • DynamiCare Health

Registry information

Official study title

A Prospective Cohort Study of Contingency Management Using A Smartphone Application in Patients With Substance Use Disorder

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Nov 14, 2019
Registry last updated
Nov 20, 2019

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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