Reducing Cannabis Use in Young Adults With Psychosis Using iCanChange, a Mobile Health App: Protocol for a Pilot...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Digital Health
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is prevalent in young adults, especially those with first-episode psychosis (FEP).
• Early Intervention Services (EIS) for psychosis offer in-person CUD treatment, but face implementation barriers.
• Mobile health (mHealth) interventions may overcome these barriers, yet their efficacy for CUD in FEP is unevaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial of a novel mHealth psychological intervention (iCanChange [iCC]) for CUD in young adults with FEP.
• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the iCC intervention.
• To gather preliminary data on clinical and app usage outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A pilot randomized controlled trial involving 100 individuals (aged 18-35) with FEP and CUD.
• Participants are randomized 1:1 to iCC plus modified EIS or EIS alone.
• The iCC intervention consists of 21 automated modules over 12 weeks, with booster modules and 24-week follow-up assessments.

Main Results:

• Recruitment commenced in July 2022, with data collection concluding in July 2024.
• Primary outcomes include intervention completion and trial retention rates.
• Secondary and exploratory outcomes involve cannabis use, satisfaction, app engagement, and symptom severity.

Conclusions:

• This study will provide crucial feasibility and preliminary outcome data.
• Findings will inform the design of a larger-scale efficacy trial for the iCC intervention.
• Successful implementation could enhance CUD treatment accessibility for individuals with FEP.