Effects of RME on Engagement in Buprenorphine Treatment

Cambridge Health Alliance

Status: Completed

Conditions: Psychiatric or Mood Diseases or Conditions; Opioid Use Disorder; Behavioral Symptoms

Treatments: Other: Information Only; Behavioral: Remote Motivational Enhancement (RME) Intervention Arm

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT05184907

CHA-IRB-21-22-29

R01CE003039 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The investigators will conduct a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) comparing the Remote Motivational Enhancement (RME) coaching sessions + MindWell screenings arm to an Information-only + MindWell screenings arm on early engagement in treatment support services, as measured by overall action plan initiation.

Full description

In an effort to assess and address patients' mental health needs, Cambridge Health Alliance has developed an innovative screening program (MindWell) using electronic computerized adaptive testing that will be used among telemedicine patients with opioid use disorder prescribed buprenorphine by Bicycle Health to evaluate needs related to mental health (CAT-MH) and social determinants of health (CAT-SDOH), as well as for stress (Perceived Stress Scale-PSS) and addiction (Brief Addiction Monitor- BAM). This automated screening with adaptive testing helps to identify those who need social services support (e.g. housing, legal, immigration, financial, food, transportation, etc.) or need further comprehensive mental health evaluation and treatment.

Remote Motivational Enhancement (RME) sessions provide telehealth coaching sessions based on motivational interviewing (MI), which is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication designed to resolve ambivalence and strengthen intrinsic motivation for a person's commitment to behavior change by eliciting their own reasons for change in an environment of acceptance and compassion. It is an evidence-based and standardized approach that has demonstrated consistently positive clinical outcomes for engagement in wellness, healthcare, and addiction treatment, including effectively improving medical regimen adherence.

This study will randomize Bicycle Health patients prescribed Buprenorphine/Naloxone (B/N) who have been screened the MindWell system to receive either standard care reviewing their screening results with their prescriber or they will receive the opportunity to additionally receive up to 3 RME sessions within a 14 day period. This study investigates the effects of the RME intervention on early engagement in psychosocial aspects of B/N telehealth treatment, rates of opioid overdose, and B/N treatment retention. This study will assess the impact of RME sessions on participants' capacity to achieve behavior change goals related to their individual SDOH needs, mental health symptoms, and/or wellness in OUD recovery goals.

Enrollment: 25 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 or older
• Meets DSM-IV criteria for opioid dependence or DSM-V criteria for opioid use disorder
• Current patient enrolled in Bicycle Health's buprenorphine treatment program
• Ability to provide informed consent
• Access to the internet and an electronic device to attend remote coaching sessions via videoconferencing and complete online assessments
• Sufficient English fluency to understand study procedures and assessments
• Completion of the CAT-MH screening modules, BAM, and PSS measures (through CHAMindWell and Bicycle Health's service implementation project)

Exclusion criteria

• Non-English speaking
• Reporting active homicidal or suicidal ideation
• Exhibits signs of active mania or psychosis
• Expected incarceration in next 12 weeks (those that are incarcerated during the study will be withdrawn from the study)
• Prisoners
• Unable or unwilling to use a mobile device
• Has a medical contraindication to BUP
• Unable to complete screening and baseline assessments
• Unstable medical illness that could lead to an expected hospitalization in the next 12 weeks
• Third-trimester pregnancy (if a pregnant participant plans to deliver within 12 weeks of study consent)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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25 participants in 2 patient groups

RME Intervention Arm

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will discuss the results of their CAT-MH, BAM, and PSS with a coach trained in motivational interviewing with 14 days of study randomization. Based on these results, the coach will help to identify behavior change goals, resolve ambivalence, amplify activation, explore their options, and empower the participant toward taking action to obtain appropriate support services tailored to their individual issues and concerns. The number of RME sessions will range from 1-3, determined by the participant's level of activation and desire to engage in additional sessions, as well as the number of challenges identified in their initial session or determined by their CAT-MH results. Participants will be sent a link at the end of week 1 with the aim to complete an action plan questionnaire, in which they will be asked to describe up to 3 action plan goals (in mental health, social services, and stress reduction/mental wellness categories).

Treatment:

Behavioral: Remote Motivational Enhancement (RME) Intervention Arm

Information Only Arm

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants randomized to the information-only arm will have their CAT-MH, BAM, and PSS screening report results sent to their primary B/N prescriber and will encouraged to set up an appointment with their prescriber within 14 days to discuss the results. Participants will be sent a link at the end of week 1 with the aim to complete an action plan questionnaire, in which they will be asked to describe up to 3 action plan goals (in mental health, social services, and stress reduction/mental wellness categories).

Treatment:

Other: Information Only