MedPath

A Digital Intervention to Prevent the Initiation of Opioid Misuse in Adolescents in School-based Health Centers

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Opioid Misuse
Interventions
Other: Video Game Control
Behavioral: PlaySmart
Registration Number
NCT04941950
Lead Sponsor
Trustees of Dartmouth College
Brief Summary

The primary hypothesis of this study is that at 3 months, there will be a higher proportion of intervention participants vs. control participants who report greater risk of harm from misuse of prescription opioids AND heroin.

Detailed Description

This study's specific aims are to:

Conduct a randomized controlled trial with 532 high-risk adolescents in 10 School Based Health Centers (SBHCs), to compare PlaySmart to attention/time control games, with assessments post- gameplay (6 weeks), and at 3, 6, and 12 months following enrollment to determine if PlaySmart: 1) increases proportion of participants who report a perception of great risk of harm from misuse of opioids at 3 months; and 2) decreases intentions to misuse opioids; 3) increases self-efficacy for refusing opioids; 4) prevents initiation of opioid misuse, at all time-points.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
533
Inclusion Criteria
  • Participants must:
    1. preferably be enrolled in their high school's School-Based Health Center;
    1. report NOT having engaged in any prior opioid misuse;
    1. be at "high-risk" based on their report at baseline of past 30-day use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, Juul, alcohol, marijuana (including synthetics), amphetamine, cocaine, benzodiazepines, ecstasy, bath salts, or any other misuse of non-opioid prescription drugs or use of non-opioid illicit drugs OR have a score of ≥1 on the PHQ-2 OR a score of ≥1 on the GAD-2 (both screening tools used by SBHA);
    1. be willing to sit for 60 minutes/session to play the game;
    1. be able to provide assent/parental/guardian consent (if under age 18).
Exclusion Criteria
  • Failure to meet any of the inclusion criteria.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Control GameVideo Game ControlControl video game intervention.
PlaySmartPlaySmartVideo game intervention.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Perception of Risk3 months

Perceived risk was measured by the question, "How much do you think people risk harming themselves (physically or in other ways), if they..." try or use a drug. For example, "...try marijuana once or twice." The answer categories are "no risk," "slight risk," "moderate risk," "great risk," and "can't say, drug unfamiliar." Parallel questions refer to using the same drug "occasionally" and "regularly." It is an 8 item, 4-point Likert scale. Total score range from 0-24. Higher scores mean greater perception of risk.

Change in Perception of RiskBaseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

Perceived risk was measured by the question, "How much do you think people risk harming themselves (physically or in other ways), if they..." try or use a drug. For example, "...try marijuana once or twice." The answer categories are "no risk," "slight risk," "moderate risk," "great risk," and "can't say, drug unfamiliar." Parallel questions refer to using the same drug "occasionally" and "regularly." It is an 8 item, 4-point Likert scale. Total score range from 0-24. Higher scores mean greater perception of risk. This outcome will be measured at baseline, after 6 weeks of gameplay, and at 3, 6, and 12 months after baseline.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Self-Regulation (In a specific moment-STATE DERS) (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by determining a change in self-regulation. Data analysis forthcoming.

Self-Regulation (Across Time-TRAIT DERS) (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline

Data analysis forthcoming.

Change in Intentions to Misuse Opioids (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by determining if there was a change in intentions to misuse opioids from baseline after 6 weeks of gameplay, and at 3, 6, and 12 months after baseline. The self-reported data questions were derived from the Monitoring the Future Study. Each item uses a 5-point scale to assess various facets of opioid misuse.

Change in Self Efficacy for Refusing Opioids (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by determining if there was a change in self-efficacy to refuse offers of opioids from baseline after 6 weeks of gameplay and at 3,6, and 12 months after baseline. This will be collected by self-reported data using questions from a study on preventing drug abuse among adolescents. It is a four-item scale for self-efficacy and relates to adolescent's perceived ability to resist pressure to use substances.

Change in Attitudes to Misuse Opioids (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by determining a change in attitudes towards misuse opioids. Data analysis forthcoming.

Involvement with Legally Manufactured Opioids (Coordinating Center Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by a change in involvement with legally manufactured opioids. Data analysis forthcoming

Change in Prevention of Initiation of Opioid Misuse (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by determining if a change in substance use behaviors (including prescription and illicit drugs, tobacco, and alcohol) occurred from baseline after 6 weeks of gameplay, and 3, 6, and 12 months after baseline. Self- reported data will be collected using questions from the Monitoring the Future Study.

Change in Perceived Norms About Opioid Misuse (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by determining a change in perceived norms towards misuse opioids. Data analysis forthcoming.

Beliefs About Psychological Services (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by determining a change in beliefs about psychological services. Data analysis forthcoming.

Involvement with Marijuana (Coordinating Center Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by a change in involvement with marijuana. Data analysis forthcoming

Mental Health (Anxiety - GAD-7) (Coordinating Center Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

Data analysis forthcoming

Change in Knowledge about opioid misuse and its risks and mental health (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by determining a change in knowledge. Data analysis forthcoming.

Decision-Making Skills (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by determining a change in decision-making skills. Data analysis forthcoming.

Help Seeking Behavior (General) (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by determining a change in help-seeking behaviors. Data analysis forthcoming.

Gameplay Usability (p2P Lab Questions)6 weeks

Data analysis forthcoming

Mental Health (Depression - PHQ-8) (Coordinating Center Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

Data analysis forthcoming

Help-Seeking Behavior (Past) (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by determining a change in help-seeking behaviors. Data analysis forthcoming.

Gameplay Engagement (p2P Lab Questions)6 weeks

Data analysis forthcoming

Self-Efficacy (Coordinating Center Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

Data analysis forthcoming

Experience with Pain (Coordinating Center Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

Data analysis forthcoming

Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (p2P Lab Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by determining a change in self-stigma of seeking help. Data analysis forthcoming.

Gameplay Experience (p2P Lab Questions)6 weeks

Data analysis forthcoming

Involvement with Illegally Manufactured Opioids (Coordinating Center Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by a change in involvement with illegally manufactured opioids. Data analysis forthcoming

Involvement with Alcohol (Coordinating Center Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

The outcomes will be assessed by a change in involvement with alcohol. Data analysis forthcoming

Social Exposure to Substance Misuse (Exposure to Drugs and Alcohol) (Coordinating Center Questions)Baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months

Data analysis forthcoming

Trial Locations

Locations (15)

Harding High School

🇺🇸

Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States

Coginchaug High School

🇺🇸

Durham, Connecticut, United States

CT River Academy

🇺🇸

East Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Fairfield College Preparatory School

🇺🇸

Fairfield, Connecticut, United States

Fitch High School

🇺🇸

Groton, Connecticut, United States

Hamden High School

🇺🇸

Hamden, Connecticut, United States

Weaver High School

🇺🇸

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Maloney High School

🇺🇸

Meriden, Connecticut, United States

Platt High School

🇺🇸

Meriden, Connecticut, United States

Hopkins High School

🇺🇸

New Haven, Connecticut, United States

New London High School

🇺🇸

New London, Connecticut, United States

Stamford High School

🇺🇸

Stamford, Connecticut, United States

Westhill High School

🇺🇸

Stamford, Connecticut, United States

Academy of Information, Technology, and Engineering

🇺🇸

Stamford, Connecticut, United States

West Haven High School

🇺🇸

West Haven, Connecticut, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath