A relational agent for treating substance use in adults: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial with a psychoeducational comparator.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are prevalent and compromise health and wellbeing. Scalable solutions, such as digital therapeutics, may offer a population-based strategy for addressing SUDs. Two formative studies supported the feasibility and acceptability of the relational agent Woebot, an animated screen-based social robot, for treating SUDs (W-SUDs) in adults. Participants randomized to W-SUDs reduced their substance use occasions from baseline to end-of-treatment (EOT) relative to a waitlist control.

Objective

To further develop the evidence base, the current randomized trial extends follow-up to 1-month post-treatment and will test the efficacy of W-SUDs relative to a psychoeducational control.

Methods

This study will recruit, screen, and consent 400 a

SUBMITTER: Prochaska JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10065942 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature