A Chatbot Utilizing Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing to Implement the Brief Negotiation Interview to Improve Engagement in Buprenorphine Treatment Among Justice-Involved Individuals
Trial ID: NCT04982627
Status: COMPLETED
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Phase: NA
Start date: 2021-08-01
Completion date: 2023-09-01
Sponsor: Center for Progressive Recovery, LLC
Collaborators: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA); Yale University
Conditions: Opioid Use Disorder, Moderate; Opioid Use Disorder, Severe; Criminal Behavior
Interventions: BNI Chatbot; OUD Education & Treatment Resources
Locations: Center for Progressive Recovery
Countries: United States
Enrollment: 4
Age range: 18 Years - 65 Years
Sex: ALL

Summary:
Primary Objective:

Conduct pilot study to assess effects of brief negotiation interview (BNI) Chatbot among individuals involved in the Connecticut criminal justice system with opioid use disorder (OUD).

Study Duration:

Approximately 2 years (1 year for study activities, 1 year for data analysis)

Study Design:

This is a prospective, randomized study to evaluate the effectiveness of a BNI Chatbot on patients with OUD compared with Standard Care (SC).

Number of Study Sites:

The offices of the Center for Progressive Recovery, LLC and the New Haven Police Department Detention Center (NHPD).

Study Population:

The study population includes adult individuals with OUD who are involved in the Connecticut criminal justice system and not currently receiving medication-assisted treatment for their OUD.

Number of Participants:

Sixty participants

Primary Outcome Variable:

Attendance at participants first treatment appointment within four weeks of referral among participants in the BNI Chatbot vs. Standard Care (SC) groups.

Secondary Outcome and Exploratory Outcome Variables:

Secondary outcomes include readiness and intention to engage in buprenorphine (bup) treatment, and urine toxicology test-confirmed drug use at four weeks among participants in BNI Chatbot vs. SC groups. Exploratory outcomes include ratings of feasibility, acceptability and satisfaction between study groups, and a comparison of study findings to engagement data from previous in-person studies, including BNI+bup, and other digital programs, such as reSET-O, and DynamiCare.

Eligibility criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Can speak, read and write in English
2. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
3. Adult aged \>18 years
4. Screened positive for opioid use disorder (OUD), moderate or severe, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5th Edition
5. Have health insurance
6. Have an existing electronic medical record in Epic
7. Have a working device that can access a web browser and receive texts (i.e., smartphone, tablet or computer)
8. Can provide a working email address
9. Can provide a working cell phone number

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current use of buprenorphine (bup), methadone, or naltrexone for a substance use disorder
2. Known allergy to bup
3. Pregnancy or lactation
4. Known current suicide risk based on interview
5. Mandatory transport to a Department of Correction Facility, or strong likelihood of immediate transport, resulting from current legal case

Outcomes:
Treatment Engagement