Related Experiment Videos
Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Digital Therapeutics for Substance Use Disorder: Protocol for a
Yong Chan Jeong1, Byoung-Kwon Lee2, Jae-Kyoung Shin3
1Department of Biomedical Science, Hallym University, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
JMIR Research Protocols
|August 7, 2026
Summary
This study evaluates D-STOP, a digital therapeutic intervention, for substance use disorder (SUD) in South Korea. Findings will assess its efficacy in improving addiction treatment accessibility and continuity of care.
Area of Science:
- Digital health interventions
- Addiction medicine
- Clinical trial methodology
Background:
- Illicit drug use is rising in South Korea, especially among young adults, straining limited addiction treatment resources.
- Existing treatment infrastructure, including inpatient facilities and community services, is insufficient to meet demand.
- Digital therapeutics (DTx) offer a promising solution to enhance treatment accessibility and continuity for substance use disorder (SUD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of D-STOP, a novel cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based digital therapeutic, as an adjunctive treatment for individuals with SUD.
- To assess the potential of D-STOP to improve treatment accessibility and continuity of care within the Korean clinical context.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week randomized controlled trial involving 118 participants diagnosed with SUD.
- Participants will receive either D-STOP plus treatment as usual or treatment as usual alone.
- The primary outcome is the abstinence success rate, analyzed using logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Interim analysis shows no established statistical significance due to limited sample size.
- Data collection is ongoing, with final results anticipated in April 2027.
- 65 participants enrolled as of March 6, 2026.
Conclusions:
- Digital therapeutics can significantly expand access to evidence-based addiction treatment, particularly in underserved areas.
- This study will provide crucial clinical evidence on the efficacy and feasibility of D-STOP for SUD patients.
- D-STOP has the potential to be a valuable digital tool supporting addiction recovery.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy, pioneered by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, is a structured approach to addressing psychological distress by focusing on the influence of thoughts on emotions and behaviors. All cognitive therapies involve the basic assumption that human beings have control over their feelings, and that how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it. Unlike psychoanalytic methods that delve into unconscious processes or humanistic approaches emphasizing...
01:24Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) are grounded in the belief that our thoughts profoundly influence our emotions and actions. Advocates of CBT emphasize three core assumptions: first, that cognitions are identifiable and measurable; second, that they are central to psychological functioning; and third, that irrational or maladaptive beliefs can be replaced with rational and adaptive ones. This transformative approach to therapy has paved the way for specific models such as Albert Ellis's...
01:22Behavior Therapy
Behavior therapy incorporates diverse techniques rooted in classical conditioning principles to address maladaptive behaviors and anxiety disorders. These methods aim to reduce avoidance behaviors, foster adaptive coping mechanisms, and alter associations between stimuli and responses, making them effective in a wide range of therapeutic contexts.
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...