MedPath

Opioids and Loneliness

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Opioid Use Disorder
Loneliness
Social Isolation
Registration Number
NCT06458335
Lead Sponsor
University of Rochester
Brief Summary

This study aims to enroll 300 participants who will be assigned to one of three 3 groups. Each group will receive an intervention lasting 6, weekly sessions of 40-60 minutes. Eligibility include having an opioid use disorder and reporting loneliness or feeling alone or disconnected.

Detailed Description

Individuals (n = 300) with an opioid use disorder reporting loneliness will be randomized to either (1) therapist-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy for perceived social isolation, (2) therapist-delivered Health Education, or (3) self-guided Health Education. Loneliness, opioid and other substance use, the amount of social interactions, social support, and mental and physical health factors prior to starting the treatment, after completing the treatment, and 1, 3, and 6 months following the treatment will be assessed to see how well they work compared to each other.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
300
Inclusion Criteria
  • Must be 18+
  • understand English -have internet access-
  • screen positive for an opioid use disorder
  • screen positive for elevated loneliness
Exclusion Criteria
  • does not understand consent
  • does not have consistent access to a phone and internet

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean change in lonelinessBaseline to 6 months

Loneliness will be measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale. A 20-item scale designed to measure one's subjective feelings of loneliness as well as feelings of social isolation. Participants rate each item as 1 (never), 2 (rarely), 3 (sometimes) or 4 (often). The scores range from 20-80 with higher scores indicating worse outcome.

Mean change in number of days of opioid useBaseline to 6 months

Participants will complete a calendar indicating the type and frequency of drug use.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
mean change in social interactionsBaseline to 6 months

Duke Social Support Index assesses several domains of perceived social support, including social network size, social interaction, social satisfaction, and instrumental social support. Higher scores indicate a higher quality of social interactions. Scores range from 0 to 37.

Mean change in depressionBaseline to 6 months

Depression will be measured using the PROMIS tool. The scores range from 4-20 with higher scores indicating worse outcome.

Mean change in anxietyBaseline to 6 months

Anxiety will be measured using the PROMIS tool. The scores range from 4-20 with higher scores indicating worse outcome.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Rochester

🇺🇸

Rochester, New York, United States

University of Rochester
🇺🇸Rochester, New York, United States
Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD
Contact
585-430-2026

MedPath

Empowering clinical research with data-driven insights and AI-powered tools.

© 2025 MedPath, Inc. All rights reserved.