Digital Intervention to Treat Anxiety and Depression Among Persons Receiving Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

NCT ID: NCT05047627

Last Updated: 2025-11-05

Study Results

Results available

Outcome measurements, participant flow, baseline characteristics, and adverse events have been published for this study.

View full results

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

63 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-09-15

Study Completion Date

2023-03-01

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The majority of opioid users meet criteria for anxiety and depressive disorders, but most substance use disorder treatment programs do not offer treatment for co-occurring mental health problems. Anxiety and depression may also be directly linked to opioid use itself. Although treatments have been developed for anxiety and depressive symptoms for opioid users within face-to-face settings, few treatment facilities offer these in-person interventions due to their high cost and time burden. Given the deficits in research on treatments for anxiety and depression among those with opioid use disorder, the current research will examine the efficacy of a digital intervention designed to treat anxiety and depressive symptoms by augmenting the state of the science medication-based opioid use disorder treatment. Over the course of the proposed study, the research team will design and test the feasibility and acceptability of a standalone mobile intervention designed to treat persons receiving medication treatment for opioid use disorder. Participants receiving medication treatment for opioid use disorder will be randomized to receive a digital intervention to treat anxiety and depression or care as usual for a total of four weeks. The overarching goal of the proposed work is to test the feasibility and acceptability of the proposed mobile intervention. The Investigators will also explore the preliminary efficacy by examining reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms and opioid cravings and use. This work could lead to a low-cost scalable solution to augment gold-standard treatment as usual in opioid use disorder by decreasing levels of comorbidity of anxiety and depressive disorders, thereby ultimately improving the outcomes of opioid use disorder itself.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

The study team will recruit a population of 60 adults who are receiving medication treatment for OUD from an online study based on Google Adwords, Reddit, and Facebook advertisements as online recruitment has been shown to be a viable and cost-effective recruitment method for opioid users. The total sample size may be expanded if recruitment costs are lower than expected.

Participants will complete self-report assessments on their anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, opioid cravings, and opioid use behaviors. Participants will be randomized to a smartphone-based digital intervention or waitlist control condition. The digital intervention will be designed to treat participants' anxiety and depressive symptoms, and participants will be asked to use the intervention four times per week for four weeks (16 digital sessions).The smartphone intervention will also collect passive sensing data continuously during the 4 week period. Participants will complete post measures and one-month follow-up measures on anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, opioid cravings, and opioid use behaviors. The urine drug screen will be mailed to participants. Participants will also be asked to complete five urine tests to detect substance use (amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, methamphetamine, opioids, oxycodone, and pcp) across the study (1 at pre-digital intervention, 1 during the digital intervention, 1 post-digital intervention, 1 between post and follow-up of the digital intervention, and 1 at the 1-month follow-up of the digital intervention). Participants will be instructed when to complete each urine test and will be asked to take a photo of the back the label of each test showing the results to the experimenters and to text these photos to a Google Voice Number maintained by the experimenters.

Thus, this proposal seeks to address a crucial deficit in the availability of treatments for anxiety and depressive disorders among persons with OUD to ultimately augment treatment for OUD.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Opioid-use Disorder Anxiety Disorders Depressive Disorder

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Smartphone Digital Intervention Group

The Smartphone Digital Intervention Group is the experimental group. Participants randomized to this group will download the smartphone intervention and be asked to use the intervention four times per week for four weeks ( 16 digital sessions). The smartphone digital intervention will also continuously collect passive sensing data. The smartphone digital intervention will be designed to treat anxiety and depression by providing informational videos to help participants treat these symptoms. These videos include information about physical activity, muscle relaxation, and other proven helpful interventions to help with anxiety and depression.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Smartphone-Based Digital Intervention

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The digital intervention will be a prototype, and the current trial will be used to continue to both develop and refine the intervention. The current intervention will be based on a combination of cognitive-behavioral principles. As with prior research, the mobile platform will be delivered via Qualtrics, a HIPAA compliant and mobile-friendly platform. The cognitive-behavioral therapy will be primarily based on components with strongest support in digital interventions. The app will continuously collect passive sensing data on patterns in 1) sleep duration and quality;(2) light (3) location; (4) movement (5) social contact including duration and frequency of incoming and outcoming calls and text messages; (6) screen time; and (7) heart rate variability; (8) sound levels captured through passively collected smartphone The platform will deliver interactive interventions where participants will view texts and images, and it will also allow user interaction.

Wait list Control Condition

The wait list control condition will not receive the digital intervention treatment for the duration of the study. They will still provide urine samples during the study. Participants assigned to this condition will be able to access the digital intervention after their participation in the study.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Smartphone-Based Digital Intervention

The digital intervention will be a prototype, and the current trial will be used to continue to both develop and refine the intervention. The current intervention will be based on a combination of cognitive-behavioral principles. As with prior research, the mobile platform will be delivered via Qualtrics, a HIPAA compliant and mobile-friendly platform. The cognitive-behavioral therapy will be primarily based on components with strongest support in digital interventions. The app will continuously collect passive sensing data on patterns in 1) sleep duration and quality;(2) light (3) location; (4) movement (5) social contact including duration and frequency of incoming and outcoming calls and text messages; (6) screen time; and (7) heart rate variability; (8) sound levels captured through passively collected smartphone The platform will deliver interactive interventions where participants will view texts and images, and it will also allow user interaction.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Adults (age 18 or older)
* fluent in English
* able to provide informed consent
* meet current criteria for OUD (as defined by a Rapid Opioid Dependence Screen)
* are receiving methadone, buprenorphine, and/or naltrexone for OUD
* meet current criteria for an anxiety and/or depressive disorder (based on the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire).

Exclusion Criteria

* active suicidality
* psychosis
* bipolar disorder
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Trustees of Dartmouth College

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Nicholas Jacobson

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Nicholas C Jacobson, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Dartmouth College

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Center For Technology and Behavioral Health

Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Kay-Lambkin FJ, Baker AL, Lewin TJ, Carr VJ. Computer-based psychological treatment for comorbid depression and problematic alcohol and/or cannabis use: a randomized controlled trial of clinical efficacy. Addiction. 2009 Mar;104(3):378-88. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02444.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19207345 (View on PubMed)

Kenardy JA, Dow MG, Johnston DW, Newman MG, Thomson A, Taylor CB. A comparison of delivery methods of cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder: an international multicenter trial. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2003 Dec;71(6):1068-75. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.71.6.1068.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 14622082 (View on PubMed)

Kosten TR, Rounsaville BJ, Kleber HD. A 2.5-year follow-up of depression, life crises, and treatment effects on abstinence among opioid addicts. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1986 Aug;43(8):733-8. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.1986.01800080019003.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 3729667 (View on PubMed)

Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001 Sep;16(9):606-13. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11556941 (View on PubMed)

Kroenke, Kurt, & Spitzer, R. L. (2002). The PHQ-9: A new depression diagnostic and severity measure. Psychiatric Annals, 32(9), 509-515. https://doi.org/10.3928/0048-5713-20020901-06

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Applebaum AJ, Bullis JR, Traeger LN, O'cleirigh C, Otto MW, Pollack MH, Safren SA. Rates of mood and anxiety disorders and contributors to continued heroin use in methadone maintenance patients: A comparison by HIV status. Neurobehav HIV Med. 2010 Aug 10;2010(2):49-57. doi: 10.2147/NBHIV.S12371.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24062619 (View on PubMed)

Barry DT, Beitel M, Breuer T, Cutter CJ, Savant J, Peters S, Schottenfeld RS, Rounsaville BJ. Group-based strategies for stress reduction in methadone maintenance treatment: what do patients want? J Addict Med. 2011 Sep;5(3):181-7. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0b013e3181ee77cl.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21841430 (View on PubMed)

Cunningham JA, Hendershot CS, Kay-Lambkin F, Neighbors C, Griffiths KM, Bennett K, Bennett A, Godinho A, Schell C. Does providing a brief internet intervention for hazardous alcohol use to people seeking online help for depression reduce both alcohol use and depression symptoms among participants with these co-occurring disorders? Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2018 Jul 19;8(7):e022412. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022412.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30030322 (View on PubMed)

Childress AR, Ehrman R, McLellan AT, MacRae J, Natale M, O'Brien CP. Can induced moods trigger drug-related responses in opiate abuse patients? J Subst Abuse Treat. 1994 Jan-Feb;11(1):17-23. doi: 10.1016/0740-5472(94)90060-4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8201629 (View on PubMed)

Bartoli F, Carra G, Brambilla G, Carretta D, Crocamo C, Neufeind J, Baldacchino A, Humphris G, Clerici M. Association between depression and non-fatal overdoses among drug users: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2014 Jan 1;134:12-21. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.10.007. Epub 2013 Oct 24.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24210424 (View on PubMed)

Blume, A. W., Schmaling, K. B., & Marlatt, G. A. (2000). Revisiting the self-medication hypothesis from a behavioral perspective. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 7(4), 379-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1077-7229(00)80048-6

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Borkovec TD, Newman MG, Pincus AL, Lytle R. A component analysis of cognitive-behavioral therapy for generalized anxiety disorder and the role of interpersonal problems. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2002 Apr;70(2):288-98.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11952187 (View on PubMed)

Maloney E, Degenhardt L, Darke S, Nelson EC. Are non-fatal opioid overdoses misclassified suicide attempts? Comparing the associated correlates. Addict Behav. 2009 Sep;34(9):723-9. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.04.011. Epub 2009 May 3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19447563 (View on PubMed)

Deady M, Mills KL, Teesson M, Kay-Lambkin F. An Online Intervention for Co-Occurring Depression and Problematic Alcohol Use in Young People: Primary Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2016 Mar 23;18(3):e71. doi: 10.2196/jmir.5178.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27009465 (View on PubMed)

Firth J, Torous J, Nicholas J, Carney R, Pratap A, Rosenbaum S, Sarris J. The efficacy of smartphone-based mental health interventions for depressive symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry. 2017 Oct;16(3):287-298. doi: 10.1002/wps.20472.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28941113 (View on PubMed)

Firth J, Torous J, Nicholas J, Carney R, Rosenbaum S, Sarris J. Can smartphone mental health interventions reduce symptoms of anxiety? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Affect Disord. 2017 Aug 15;218:15-22. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.04.046. Epub 2017 Apr 25.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28456072 (View on PubMed)

Hassan AN, Howe AS, Samokhvalov AV, Le Foll B, George TP. Management of mood and anxiety disorders in patients receiving opioid agonist therapy: Review and meta-analysis. Am J Addict. 2017 Sep;26(6):551-563. doi: 10.1111/ajad.12581. Epub 2017 Jul 4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28675762 (View on PubMed)

Hogarth L, Hardy L, Bakou A, Mahlberg J, Weidemann G, Cashel S, Moustafa AA. Negative Mood Induction Increases Choice of Heroin Versus Food Pictures in Opiate-Dependent Individuals: Correlation With Self-Medication Coping Motives and Subjective Reactivity. Front Psychiatry. 2019 May 15;10:274. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00274. eCollection 2019.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31156470 (View on PubMed)

Marshall BDL, Green TC, Elston B, Yedinak JL, Hadland SE, Clark MA. The Effectiveness of Internet- and Field-Based Methods to Recruit Young Adults Who Use Prescription Opioids Nonmedically. Subst Use Misuse. 2018 Aug 24;53(10):1688-1699. doi: 10.1080/10826084.2018.1425725. Epub 2018 Jan 24.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29364768 (View on PubMed)

Hyman SM, Fox H, Hong KI, Doebrick C, Sinha R. Stress and drug-cue-induced craving in opioid-dependent individuals in naltrexone treatment. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2007 Apr;15(2):134-43. doi: 10.1037/1064-1297.15.2.134.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17469937 (View on PubMed)

Krupnick JL, Green BL, Amdur R, Alaoui A, Belouali A, Roberge E, Cueva D, Roberts M, Melnikoff E, Dutton MA. An Internet-based writing intervention for PTSD in veterans: A feasibility and pilot effectiveness trial. Psychol Trauma. 2017 Jul;9(4):461-470. doi: 10.1037/tra0000176. Epub 2016 Sep 8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27607767 (View on PubMed)

Lange A, Rietdijk D, Hudcovicova M, van de Ven JP, Schrieken B, Emmelkamp PM. Interapy: a controlled randomized trial of the standardized treatment of posttraumatic stress through the internet. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2003 Oct;71(5):901-9. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.71.5.901.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 14516238 (View on PubMed)

Levin ME, Navarro C, Cruz RA, Haeger J. Comparing in-the-moment skill coaching effects from tailored versus non-tailored acceptance and commitment therapy mobile apps in a non-clinical sample. Cogn Behav Ther. 2019 May;48(3):200-216. doi: 10.1080/16506073.2018.1503706. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30117784 (View on PubMed)

McHugh RK, Fitzmaurice GM, Carroll KM, Griffin ML, Hill KP, Wasan AD, Weiss RD. Assessing craving and its relationship to subsequent prescription opioid use among treatment-seeking prescription opioid dependent patients. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2014 Dec 1;145:121-6. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.10.002. Epub 2014 Oct 16.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25454409 (View on PubMed)

Moore MT, Anderson NL, Barnes JM, Haigh EA, Fresco DM. Using the GAD-Q-IV to identify generalized anxiety disorder in psychiatric treatment seeking and primary care medical samples. J Anxiety Disord. 2014 Jan;28(1):25-30. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.10.009. Epub 2013 Nov 20.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24334213 (View on PubMed)

Pani PP, Vacca R, Trogu E, Amato L, Davoli M. Pharmacological treatment for depression during opioid agonist treatment for opioid dependence. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Sep 8;(9):CD008373. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008373.pub2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20824876 (View on PubMed)

Stathopoulou G, Pollack MH, Otto MW. Anxiety sensitivity moderates drug cravings in response to induced negative affect in opioid dependent outpatients. Addict Behav. 2018 Sep;84:75-78. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.03.020. Epub 2018 Mar 13. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29631093 (View on PubMed)

Stein MD, Santiago Rivera OJ, Anderson BJ, Bailey GL. Perceived need for depression treatment among persons entering inpatient opioid detoxification. Am J Addict. 2017 Jun;26(4):395-399. doi: 10.1111/ajad.12554. Epub 2017 Apr 28.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28453912 (View on PubMed)

Walker J, Burke K, Wanat M, Fisher R, Fielding J, Mulick A, Puntis S, Sharpe J, Esposti MD, Harriss E, Frost C, Sharpe M. The prevalence of depression in general hospital inpatients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of interview-based studies. Psychol Med. 2018 Oct;48(14):2285-2298. doi: 10.1017/S0033291718000624. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29576041 (View on PubMed)

Watkins KE, Hunter SB, Wenzel SL, Tu W, Paddock SM, Griffin A, Ebener P. Prevalence and characteristics of clients with co-occurring disorders in outpatient substance abuse treatment. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2004 Nov;30(4):749-64. doi: 10.1081/ada-200037538.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15624547 (View on PubMed)

Wickersham JA, Azar MM, Cannon CM, Altice FL, Springer SA. Validation of a Brief Measure of Opioid Dependence: The Rapid Opioid Dependence Screen (RODS). J Correct Health Care. 2015 Jan;21(1):12-26. doi: 10.1177/1078345814557513.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25559628 (View on PubMed)

Wilhelm S, Weingarden H, Ladis I, Braddick V, Shin J, Jacobson NC. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in the Digital Age: Presidential Address. Behav Ther. 2020 Jan;51(1):1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2019.08.001. Epub 2019 Aug 8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32005328 (View on PubMed)

Gratz, K.L., Roemer, L. Multidimensional Assessment of Emotion Regulation and Dysregulation: Development, Factor Structure, and Initial Validation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 30, 315 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-008-9102-4

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Newman, M. G., Zuellig, A. R., Kachin, K. E., Constantino, M. J., Przeworski, A., Erickson, T., & Cashman-McGrath, L. (2002). Preliminary reliability and validity of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-IV: A revised self-report diagnostic measure of generalized anxiety disorder. Behavior Therapy, 33(2), 215-233. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(02)80026-0

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Provided Documents

Download supplemental materials such as informed consent forms, study protocols, or participant manuals.

Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

AWD00010555

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Fathering In Recovery
NCT04611542 COMPLETED NA
Smartphones for Opiate Addiction Recovery
NCT05033028 RECRUITING PHASE3
Dynamic Treatment Regimes for Opioid Use Disorder
NCT07011758 NOT_YET_RECRUITING PHASE2