A Real-time, Contextual Intervention Using PDAs to Reduce Marijuana Use in Youth

This study proposes a pilot randomized trial to further develop and test the Momentary Self-Monitoring and Feedback + Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MOMENT) intervention, a real-time, contextual intervention to reduce marijuana use over three months in 15-to-24-year-old primary care patients who use frequently. We will randomize youth to one of two arms (goal 30 per arm completing 3-month follow-up): 1) MOMENT (MET + momentary self-monitoring + context-dependent feedback), or 2) MET-only. The two study arms will permit evaluation of the contributions of the self-monitoring and feedback components of the intervention above-and-beyond the MET and directly test the influence of the intervention on the link between momentary context and marijuana-related outcomes.

The specific aims of the study are

Specific Aim 1: Continued Feasibility Evaluation. In our preliminary work, we demonstrated that 1) youth perceive MOMENT to be easy to understand, comfortable, motivating, and helpful in reducing their marijuana use, 2) we can recruit 4 participants/month (minimum rate for the proposed study), and 3) we can successfully implement a MOMENT intervention study in the proposed recruitment sites. Based on this work, we have identified additional areas of feasibility on which to focus in the proposed study. Specifically, we aim to achieve:

1a. A signal response rate of at least 70% during each of three periods of momentary data collection - baseline, intervention, and 3-month follow-up.

1b. A diary response rate of at least 70% during each momentary data collection period