Chatbot-assisted therapy for patients with methamphetamine use disorder: a preliminary randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Addiction Medicine
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Methamphetamine (MA) use disorder presents a significant public health challenge.
• Current psychosocial interventions show therapeutic effects, but patient retention remains difficult.
• Mobile health (mHealth) offers potential for real-time, personalized care, overcoming treatment barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of chatbots for treating MA use disorder.
• To assess if chatbot-assisted therapy (CAT) improves treatment outcomes compared to standard care.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial comparing CAT via smartphone to a control group.
• Inclusion criteria: DSM-5 diagnosis of MA use disorder, ages 18-65, stable mental health, willingness for 6-month outpatient treatment.
• Outcome measures: treatment retention and monthly urine test results; participant satisfaction was also assessed.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in treatment retention between CAT and control groups (p=0.099).
• The CAT group showed a significantly lower proportion of MA-positive urine samples (19.5% vs. 29.6%, p=0.003).
• Positive urine samples correlated with MA use frequency, disorder severity, polysubstance use, and inversely with readiness to change.

Conclusions:

• Chatbot-assisted therapy is a feasible approach for treating individuals with MA use disorder.
• The study indicates positive outcomes and favorable acceptance of chatbot interventions in this population.