Development of a Sham Smartphone App for Opioid Use Disorder: Acceptability and Suitability Study
Abstract BackgroundDespite having evidence-based medication for opioid use disorder (OUD), dropout is one of the most common issues noted with this treatment. Prescription digital therapeutics, which are app-based interventions prescribed by a health care professional, have th...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JMIR Publications
2025-08-01
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| Series: | JMIR Formative Research |
| Online Access: | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e71105 |
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| Summary: | Abstract
BackgroundDespite having evidence-based medication for opioid use disorder (OUD), dropout is one of the most common issues noted with this treatment. Prescription digital therapeutics, which are app-based interventions prescribed by a health care professional, have the potential to increase adherence to medication for OUD and retention while overcoming treatment barriers, including provider capacity and patient access. Using a sham app as a control condition for a randomized clinical trial is an innovative method to establish the true efficacy of these apps.
ObjectiveThis study included the development and testing of a sham smartphone app for OUD.
MethodsAfter the sham app was developed, participants were enrolled in a 4-week trial examining the use and suitability of the sham app as a control condition. Criteria for determining suitability included (1) participants believing the sham app is an active intervention and (2) participants experiencing no clinical improvements in depression severity or quality of life after using the sham app. Self-reported depression severity and quality of life were captured before and after using the sham app. A user satisfaction survey and semistructured interviews were conducted at the end of the study. Quantitative analyses included paired 2-tailed t
ResultsOverall, 21 participants (meanagePPPP=.PP
ConclusionsOur sham app met our a priori criteria for suitability as a sham app. No c |
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| ISSN: | 2561-326X |