Connections mHealth App for Drug Overdose
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests a smartphone app called the Connections mHealth Application, designed to reduce the risk of drug overdoses. The app aims to be user-friendly and beneficial for individuals dealing with opioid and stimulant use. Participants should have used drugs in the last month and not recently engaged with harm reduction services like community programs or hotlines. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions for drug overdose prevention.
What prior data suggests that the Connections mHealth App is safe for users?
Research has shown that mobile health (mHealth) apps are safe for managing opioid use and preventing overdoses. People generally find these apps acceptable and easy to use, indicating a willingness to adopt them.
One study had participants use the app for 12 weeks to learn how to reduce their overdose risk. Importantly, participants reported no negative side effects from using the app, suggesting that the Connections mHealth Application is safe and non-harmful.
Overall, studies indicate that smartphone-based tools like this app offer a promising way to help people reduce their overdose risks without introducing new health issues.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
The Connections mHealth App is unique because it leverages mobile technology to support individuals who use opioid and stimulant drugs by connecting them with harm reduction services. Unlike traditional treatments that often rely on in-person interventions, this app offers a digital platform that is accessible anytime and anywhere, which can significantly enhance engagement and support for users. Researchers are excited about this app because it could bridge the gap for those disconnected from conventional harm reduction services, potentially reducing drug overdoses through real-time support and resources.
What evidence suggests that the Connections mHealth App is effective for lowering overdose risk?
Research has shown that mobile health apps, such as the Connections mHealth App studied in this trial, can assist in managing opioid use. Specifically, studies found that users of these apps reduced their opioid use days from 12 to 8.4 on average, compared to those relying solely on medication. These apps also help individuals remain in treatment longer. Many users express willingness to use these apps to help prevent overdose deaths. Overall, smartphone-based tools have been linked to reduced anxiety and a lower likelihood of opioid use.46789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Ryan Westergaard, MD, PhD, MPH
Principal Investigator
UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Rachel Gicquelais, PhD, MPH
Principal Investigator
UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults who have issues with substance use or opioid use and are at risk of drug overdose. Participants should be willing to use a smartphone app as part of the study.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Orientation and Tool Introduction
Participants receive a mobile phone with an unlimited data plan and a brief orientation to a bundle of phone and internet-based overdose prevention tools.
Intervention
Participants use the mobile health tools and complete monthly surveys evaluating the primary and secondary outcomes.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in overdose risk behaviors and experiences relative to baseline.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Connections mHealth Application
Trial Overview
The study is testing a bundle of smartphone-based tools, called the Connections mHealth Application, designed to help lower the risk of drug overdose. About 40 people will try these tools over up to 9 months.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
People who use opioid and/or stimulant drugs and are disconnected from harm reduction services.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborator
Citations
Users' Acceptability and Perceived Efficacy of mHealth for ...
Overall, users demonstrate a high willingness to engage with mHealth interventions to prevent overdose-related deaths and manage opioid use.
Users' Acceptability and Perceived Efficacy of mHealth for ...
Results. Overall, users demonstrate a high willingness to engage with mHealth interventions to prevent overdose-related deaths and manage opioid use. Users ...
3.
weconnecthealth.io
weconnecthealth.io/blog/enhancing-opioid-use-disorder-treatment-with-app-based-contingency-managementEnhancing Opioid Use Disorder Treatment with App-Based ...
In the study of 600 patients, the app-supported group reported 8.4 days of opioid use vs 12.0 days in the MOUD-only group, and remained in ...
4.
recoveryanswers.org
recoveryanswers.org/research-post/promising-evidence-mobile-engagement-units-link-hard-to-reach-individuals-opioid-use-disorder-medication-treatment/Promising evidence that mobile engagement units can link ...
In this study, researchers examined the effectiveness of a mobile engagement unit in Philadelphia to connect individuals with opioid use disorder to a methadone ...
Psychosocial Outcomes Associated with Mobile Health App ...
Logging into the app but not using the e-coach feature was associated with reduced anxiety and decreased likelihood of opioid use, while use of ...
Technologies for Opioid Use Disorder Management - PMC - NIH
On average, 5 people in the United States die every hour from an opioid overdose [1]. In 2017 alone, over 70,000 deaths occurred due to drug overdose [2]. This ...
A Mobile Health Application to Support Reductions in ...
The app was used to deliver a 12-week overdose risk reduction intervention. Every week, participants self-selected 1 of 11 available overdose- ...
8.
research-collection.ethz.ch
research-collection.ethz.ch/bitstreams/199fd928-0502-4a70-977c-06241598eca0/downloadUsers' Acceptability and Perceived Efficacy of mHealth for ...
This review is important as it explored user perspectives on. mHealth for opioid use management and overdose prevention, providing new ...
A scoping review of mHealth technologies for opioid ...
Four studies examined the use of smartphone applications to connect responders to overdose events [37-39, 48]. Three studies focussed on a ...
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