Customized recommendations and reminder text messages for automated, computer-based treatment during methadone

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Computer-based interventions show promise for substance use disorder but suffer from low patient engagement.
• The Recovery Line, a CBT-based system for methadone maintenance patients, requires enhanced functions to improve user adherence.
• Continued illicit drug use in methadone-maintained patients necessitates effective digital self-management tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate system functions aimed at increasing patient engagement with the Recovery Line, a computer-based CBT intervention.
• To assess the impact of customized recommendations on patient use and usability of the Recovery Line.
• To investigate the effects of reminder message framing and latency on patient engagement with the Recovery Line.

Main Methods:

• Two randomized trials were conducted with methadone-maintained patients experiencing continued illicit drug use.
• Trial 1 compared customized system use recommendations versus no recommendations.
• Trial 2 examined the effects of different message frames and latencies for reminder messages.

Main Results:

• Customized recommendations improved usability ratings but did not significantly increase call frequency or duration.
• Reminder message framing had no effect, but males showed greater contact time with short latency reminders.
• While shorter reminder latencies initially increased call frequency, this effect diminished over time.

Conclusions:

• Computer-based self-management systems can be adapted to boost patient engagement and adherence.
• Optimizing reminder message characteristics, particularly latency, may enhance user interaction in digital health interventions.
• Further development is needed to sustain long-term engagement with automated therapeutic systems.