Improving Substance Abuse Counseling Adherence Using Web-based Videoconferencing

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Substance Abuse Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: eGet

• Registration Number: NCT01142609
• Lead Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University

Brief Summary

This research is being done to compare the effectiveness of standard on-site, in-person counseling with Internet web-based videoconferencing (e-therapy) in drug-dependent patients in opioid-agonist treatment programs. The study is looking to see if there are any differences in satisfaction or in treatment outcome if counseling sessions are given by e-therapy compared to standard, in-person counseling given in the clinic. The e-therapy happens in real time- it works very much like standard therapy in the clinic except that the patient is in his or her own home (or other convenient location outside the clinic) and talks to and sees the therapist through an Internet connection on the computer (the therapist will usually be at the clinic).

Detailed Description

This study will be the first to evaluate the efficacy of an accredited and currently available, Internet web-based videoconferencing platform to deliver routine schedules of counseling in an opioid agonist treatment program. It has outstanding potential to help determine transportability of this technology to other treatment programs by demonstrating the benefits of integration of web-based therapy with on-site services to expand the continuum of care.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-12
• Study First Submitted: 2010-06-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-06-10
• Study First Posted: 2010-06-11
• Primary Completion: 2012-08
• Study Completion: 2012-08
• Status Verified: 2013-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-04-02
• Last Update Posted: 2013-04-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 85

Inclusion Criteria

• Access to a computer with Internet capability
• Full adherence to their routine counseling schedule over the previous 30-days
• Negative urine specimens over the previous 30-days
• Patient at ATS for 90 days

Exclusion Criteria

• No access to a computer with Internet capability

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Internet (eGetgoing)	eGet	Subjects will assigned to use an accredited web-based platform (eGetgoingTM, CRC Health Group, Inc.) to deliver routine substance abuse counseling.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Counseling efficacy	Weekly for 12 weeks	Attendance to individual counseling sessions, both online and on-site will be tracked weekly for the duration of the study.
Reinforcement value (eGetgoing)	Monthly for 3 months	Subjects will complete monthly surveys to evaluate the reinforcement value of eGetgoing using a multiple choice design that will compare its perceived value to other aspects of routine treatment (e.g., take-home medications).
Reinforcement value (on-site)	Baseline	Subjects will complete a survey to evaluate the reinforcement value of eGetgoing using a multiple choice design that will compare its perceived value to other aspects of routine treatment (e.g., take-home medications).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Program Satisfaction	Baseline and monthly for 3 months	Subjects will complete a survey to assess their overall program satisfaction
Treatment cost	Baseline and Month 3	Subjects will complete surveys to measure treatment related time and monetary travel costs.
Therapeutic relationship	Baseline and monthly for 3 months	Subjects and their therapists will complete surveys to assess qualities of the therapeutic relationship.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Addiction Treatment Services; 🇺🇸 Baltimore, Maryland, United States