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Updated: Jul 27, 2025
Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
Evaluating preferences for online psychological interventions to decrease cannabis use in young adults with
Ovidiu Tatar1, Amal Abdel-Baki2, Alina Dyachenko3
1Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Technology-based interventions can improve treatment for cannabis use disorder (CUD) in first episode psychosis (FEP). Patients prefer moderate intensity, autonomy, weekly feedback, and smartphone apps with video and gamification.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Digital Health
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Innovative technology offers potential for improved access to interventions for cannabis use disorder (CUD) in individuals with first episode psychosis (FEP).
- High patient engagement is crucial for the success of app-based interventions.
- Understanding patient preferences is key to developing effective digital health solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate preferences for online psychological intervention characteristics among individuals with FEP and CUD.
- To identify preferred technology platforms, app functionalities, and intervention delivery methods.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study informed the development of an electronic survey for 104 individuals (18-35 years old) with FEP and CUD.
- Best-Worst Scaling (BWS) and item ranking methodologies were employed to measure preferences.
- Conditional logistic regression and Luce regression models were used for data analysis.
Main Results:
- Patients showed high preference for moderate intervention intensity (e.g., 15-minute modules) and treatment autonomy.
- Weekly feedback on cannabis use and the use of technology-based interventions were highly preferred.
- Smartphone apps, video components, synchronous communication with clinicians, and gamification elements were favored.
Conclusions:
- Findings informed the development of iCanChange (iCC), a smartphone-based intervention for CUD in FEP.
- The iCC intervention incorporates patient-preferred features to enhance engagement and outcomes.
- iCC is currently undergoing clinical testing to validate its efficacy.
