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Marijuana Abuse and DependenceNCT00594659

Development and Efficacy Test of Computerized Treatment for Marijuana Dependence

A study testing Psychotherapy, Computerized Psychotherapy and Motivational enhancement therapy in people with Marijuana Abuse and Dependence, run by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

More US residents are dependent on marijuana than on any other illicit drug, and the number enrolled in treatment for marijuana continues to increase such that it is now comparable to that for cocaine and heroin. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Marijuana Abuse and Dependence
What is being tested?
Psychotherapy, Computerized Psychotherapy and Motivational enhancement therapy
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
75 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Nov 2008to Jul 2012
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Meet criteria for current DSM-IV diagnosis of marijuana abuse or dependence
  • Report use of marijuana on at least 40 of the past 90 days
  • Severe psychological distress

Who cannot join

  • Current dependence on alcohol or any other drug (except nicotine)
  • Participation in treatment for alcohol/drug problem
  • A legal status which will interfere with participation
  • Plans to move out of the area in the next 12 months
  • Living with someone who is already enrolled in the project
  • Not living within approximately 30 miles of the research site
  • Not being fluent in English

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

    Lebanon, New Hampshire, 03756

Other trials in United States

About this study

More US residents are dependent on marijuana than on any other illicit drug, and the number enrolled in treatment for marijuana continues to increase such that it is now comparable to that for cocaine and heroin. This application seeks to advance the overarching goal to develop and disseminate cost-effective treatments for marijuana dependence that can address this growing problem.

The researchers' previous research suggests that an intervention comprising motivational enhancement, cognitive-behavioral, and contingency-management components (MET/CBT/CM) produces greater rates of successful and durable outcomes than has been demonstrated previously. However, three issues relevant to its efficacy and eventual dissemination must be confronted. First, the outcomes achieved can only be characterized as modest; many individuals do not respond to the treatment and relapse rates remain problematic. Second, access is limited by the availability of trained providers. Third, the cost of delivering the treatment is higher than more traditional outpatient interventions.

Read more

To address these issues, Specific Aim 1 is to develop and test a computer-assisted version of MET/CBT/CM. Computerized treatments have the potential to increase overall effectiveness of treatment services by increasing availability of and access to potent treatments, and by applying innovative technology to enhance outcomes. During Year 1, the intervention will be developed and pilot tested. An interactive program that showed promise in a previous trial for opioid dependence will be modified and enhanced to deliver individualized MET/CBT/CM using effective computer learning technologies. These technologies and access to the MET/CBT/CM program made available via the Internet between treatment sessions and after treatment ends have the potential to promote better learning and more use of coping skills, which in turn can improve outcomes. During Years 2-4 a randomized trial will provide an initial efficacy test of cMET/CBT/CM by comparing it with a brief treatment (MET) and with therapist-delivered MET/CBT/CM. Specific Aim 2 is to learn more about how behavioral treatments like MET/CBT/CM work by focusing on two putative mechanisms of action examined in prior trials: self-efficacy/coping skills and impulsivity/delay discounting. The experimental design will provide a unique opportunity to explore such mechanisms in a novel context- where the therapist is vs. is not a prominent part of the treatment.

The proposed project will address the objectives of NIDA's Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program by providing research on technology-assisted treatment that attempts to make treatment delivery less complex, easier to access, and less costly - while retaining or improving its effectiveness. Findings will inform future studies designed to refine the technology and how it is applied; conduct more definitive effectiveness testing; test generality to other populations including adolescents; and to further advance translation to community settings.

Being tested
Psychotherapy, Computerized Psychotherapy, Motivational enhancement therapy
Keywords
Marijuana, Treatment, Behavioral, Computer, Internet
Medical subject headings
Marijuana Abuse, Behavior

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • PsychotherapyBehavioural

    Nine session treatment

  • Computerized PsychotherapyBehavioural

    Nine session computer delivered treatment

  • Motivational enhancement therapyBehavioural

    Two session treatment

Study groups in NCT00594659
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
1Active comparatorTherapist delivered cognitive behavioral treatment
Receives: Behavioral: Psychotherapy
2ExperimentalComputerized Cognitive Behavioral treatment
Receives: Behavioral: Computerized Psychotherapy
3Active comparatorMotivational enhancement therapy
Receives: Behavioral: Motivational enhancement therapy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Consecutive Weeks of Marijuana Abstinence

    Longest period of marijuana abstinence achieved during the 12-week treatment period documented by urine testing and self-report.

    Measured: From the start of treatment through the end of the active treatment period, i.e., 12 weeks.

  2. Point Prevalence Abstinence Post Treatment

    Percent of participants that were marijuana abstinent based on urine toxicology testing at each follow up assessment across 9 month follow up period ( at the end of treatment, at 3-months, 6-months, and 9 months post the end of treatment).

    Measured: 9 months (from the end of treatment to 9 months post-treatment).

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 Jan 2008 (estimated)
  2. Study startNov 2008
  3. Primary completionJul 2012
  4. Study completionJul 2012

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
75 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00594659
Sponsor's protocol ID
88268
Other IDs
1R01DA023526-01, 1R01DA023526-02, 1R01DA023526-03
Status last verified
Dec 2013
First submitted
7 Jan 2008
Last updated
4 Dec 2013
Data monitoring committee
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Psychotherapy, Computerized Psychotherapy and Motivational enhancement therapy in people with Marijuana Abuse and Dependence, run by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Dec 2013. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 4 Dec 2013). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Consecutive Weeks of Marijuana Abstinence (time frame: From the start of treatment through the end of the active treatment period, i.e., 12 weeks.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Dec 2013.

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