A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Text Messaging Intervention for Methamphetamine Dependence

New Leaf Treatment Center

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 1

Conditions: Methamphetamine Dependence

Treatments: Behavioral: Text messages

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01577797

2012-1

Details and patient eligibility

About

This Phase I, randomized, 22-day crossover study seeks to improve treatment outcomes for methamphetamine-dependent subjects by developing a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)- based short message service (SMS) text messaging intervention as an adjunct to CBT group therapy.

Full description

Psychosocial therapies for methamphetamine (MA) addiction all have limited effectiveness, and patients treated for MA dependence have a high rate of relapse. Additionally, there are no currently approved medications for MA dependence. Thus, a significant need exists for add-on therapy for treatment of MA addiction. CBT-based text messaging could serve as a real-time intervention when craving and risk of MA use are high and patients are not in the clinic. It could further serve to reinforce CBT group therapy. If found efficacious, fully-automated CBT-based text messaging would be a relatively inexpensive adjunctive therapy that could be readily scaled up for use in a large number of patients. Additionally, this type of text messaging intervention also could be tailored to individual users, which may enhance its efficacy. This Phase I randomized crossover study will evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of CBT-based text messages in conjunction with CBT group therapy delivered over a 22-day period in MA users in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Enrollment: 25 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Main inclusion criterion:

• English-speaking adults who are currently seeking treatment for methamphetamine addiction

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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25 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

CBT-based text messages - Week 1 or 3

Experimental group

Description:

One week CBT-based text messages followed by a 1-week washout period (Week 2)

Treatment:

Behavioral: Text messages

Placebo text messages - Week 3 or 1

Placebo Comparator group

Treatment:

Behavioral: Text messages