Behavioral Activation for Heroin Use in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial

January 30, 2019 updated by: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

The Behavioral Activation for Chinese Substance Users (C-BA) Research Protocol

This was a single-site two-arm parallel-group trial conducted in a Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) Clinic that provides medication service for 254 heroin users in Wuhan, China. Once consented and completed the pre-treatment assessment, participants were randomized to receive either the Chinese translated behavioral activation treatment for substance use (C-BA) or treatment as usual (TAU). Research assessments occurred at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 1- and 3-months follow-ups.

The primary purpose of this study is to:

1. Evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the Chinese-translated behavioral activation treatment for substance use (C-BA), an evidence based intervention developed to address the individual and psychological needs of Chinese substance users.

The secondary purpose of this study is to:

Examine the underlying mechanism of C-BA by studying the relationship between change in substance use related outcomes and associated psychological constructs (e.g. levels of behavioral activation and depression).

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Over 83% registered drug users in China are primary heroin users. Heroin use is associated with numerous severe health consequences, including elevated risk for HIV, STDs, and fatal overdose. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) has become the standard treatment approach for heroin use that show effectiveness in reducing drug injection, HIV transmission, and criminal activities associated with heroin use in China. Nevertheless, dropout rates among MMT seekers is high in China (50%-70% drop out rate three months post treatment initiation), and research suggests that it is important to provide psychosocial treatments for substance use along with MMT. The combined treatment may both increase treatment adherence and result in superior substance use treatment outcomes.

The Chinese-translated behavioral activation treatment (C-BA) for substance use was translated from the Life Enhancement Treatment for Substance Use (LETS ACT), an evidence based treatment for substance use in the United States. C-BA may fit the need in China because it is a cost-effective and low training-burden treatment designed to be implemented under settings with limited resources. Similar to LETS ACT, C-BA aims to improve substance use outcomes by helping the individuals engage in drug-free value based activities.

Recent studies reported that compared to participants in the supportive counseling group, individuals who received LETS ACT shows significantly higher abstinence rates at 3 months [odds ratio (OR) = 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-3.7], 6 months (OR = 2.6, 95% CI= 1.3-5.0) and 12 months (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.3-6.1) post-treatment. Additionally, LETS ACT participants reported significantly fewer adverse consequences from substance use at 12 months post-treatment [B = 4.50, standard error (SE) = 2.17, 95% CI = 0.22-8.78]. In another pilot study, the feasibility and acceptability of C-BA was evaluated among six Chinese international students in the United States. Results suggest that C-BA is associated with both statistical and clinical improvement in depressive symptoms and access to environmental rewards up until 1 month post treatment. The study has a 100% research and treatment retention rate, high homework completion rate (> 80% completion rate), and all participants reported that C-BA is highly culturally acceptable. These preliminary evidence support the feasibility of implementing C-BA among Chinese substance users.

Taken together, research suggests that C-BA could be a feasible treatment that has the potential to reduce substance use, alleviate depressive symptoms, and improve levels of behavioral activation among Chinese heroin users. To date, no study has investigated the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of C-BA among Chinese heroin users seeking MMT treatment. The present study aims to address this need by conducting a randomized controlled trial to examine the acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy of C-BA among 90 Chinese heroin users seeking MMT. In the current study, the investigators will examine the treatment specifically with regard to major depression, reinforcement, adherence to MMT, and abstinence from substance use. The investigators will also examine the underlying mechanism of C-BA by studying the relationship between change in substance use related outcomes and associated psychological constructs (e.g. levels of behavioral activation and depression).

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
90

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • China
    • Hubei
      • Wuhan, Hubei, China
        • Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

14 years to 61 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Currently receiving Methadone Maintenance Treatment
  • Between 18 and 65
  • No outstanding health conditions
  • Has received MMT treatment for more than three weeks
  • Will continue MMT treatment for at least four more weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Reading level below 5th grade
  • Psychosis
  • PTSD
  • The inability to give informed, voluntary, written consent to participate

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Placebo Comparator: Treatment as Usual
Participants will receive no additional intervention besides the services they are currently receiving at the MMT clinic.
Behavioral: Treatment as usual
Treatment as Usual participants will receive the treatment typically provided to patients at the MMT clinic in Wuhan, China.
Other Names:
  • TAU
Experimental: Chinese translated LETS ACT
In addition to services participants are currently receiving at the MMT clinic, individuals will attend six group-based one-hour behavioral activation treatment sessions.
Behavioral: Chinese translated LETS ACT
The Chinese translated Behavioral Activation (C-BA) will be provided in Mandarin. C-BA treatment includes psychoeducation regarding the link between mood and behavior, identification of values/goals/activities across life areas, planning and tracking of daily value driven activities.
Other Names:
  • Chinese translated Behavioral Activation

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in the % substance use days over time
Time Frame: Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation

The frequency of substance use over the past 30 days was measured by a Timeline Followback Interview (TLFB).The % was calculated by using the # of days participants used substance during the 30-day period prior to each assessment point divided by 30. Data was collected at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 1-month post treatment discontinuation and 3-month post treatment discontinuation. The exception is the post-treatment assessment which will only includes a 21 day period.

The TLFB is a questionnaire in which the subject is asked to self-report types and frequency of substance use for the past 30 days. On the group level, statistical methods such as multi-level modeling (MLM) will be used to assess group differences in change in % of days using substance over the course of the study. On the individual level, statistical methods such as Reliable Change Index (RCI) will be used to assess change in % of days using substance that is clinically significant.
Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in # of participants showing positive urinalysis results over the course of the study
Time Frame: Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation
Urinalysis is a biological measure of substance use. Statistical methods such as multi-level modeling (MLM) will be used to assess group differences in change in # of participants showing positive urinalysis results over time. Data was collected at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 1-month post treatment discontinuation and 3-month post treatment discontinuation.
Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation
Change in Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) Score over the course of the study
Time Frame: Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation
The BDI-II is a 21-item self-report measure of depressive symptoms. Scores range from 0 - 63, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms. On the group level, statistical methods such as multi-level modeling (MLM) will be used to assess group differences in change in BDI-II total scores over time. On the individual level, statistical methods such as Reliable Change Index (RCI) will be used to assess change in BDI-II total scores that are clinically significant. Data was collected at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 1-month post treatment discontinuation and 3-month post treatment discontinuation.
Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation
Change in Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS) Scores over the course of the study
Time Frame: Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation
The BADS is a 25-item self-report measure of overall level of activity involvement. Scores range from 25 - 175, with higher scores indicating greater levels of activity involvement. On the group level, statistical methods such as multi-level modeling (MLM) will be used to assess group differences in change in BADS total scores over time. On the individual level, statistical methods such as Reliable Change Index (RCI) will be used to assess change in BADS total scores that is clinically significant. Data was collected at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 1-month post treatment discontinuation and 3-month post treatment discontinuation.
Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation
Change in Reward Probability Index (RPI) Scores over the course of the study
Time Frame: Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation
The RPI is a 20-item self-report measure used to assess environmental reward and punishment. Scores range from 0 - 60, with higher scores indicating greater levels of access to environmental rewards. On the group level, statistical methods such as multi-level modeling (MLM) will be used to assess group differences in change in RPI total scores over time. On the individual level, statistical methods such as Reliable Change Index (RCI) will be used to assess change in RPI total scores that is clinically significant. Data was collected at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 1-month post treatment discontinuation and 3-month post treatment discontinuation.
Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation
Change in % days participants take methadone at the clinic over the course of the study
Time Frame: Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation
Methadone treatment adherence is measured by participant's % of days visiting MMT clinic during the course of the study. On the group level, statistical methods such as multi-level modeling (MLM) will be used to assess group differences in change in % days participants take methadone at the clinic over time. On the individual level, statistical methods such as Reliable Change Index (RCI) will be used to assess change in % days participants take methadone at the clinic that is clinically significant. Data was collected at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 1-month post treatment discontinuation and 3-month post treatment discontinuation.
Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation
Change in % days participants engaged in Daily Goals Form over the course of the study
Time Frame: Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation

The Daily Goals Form is used to measure Treatment Engagement. The % days participants engaged in Daily goals Form was calculated by dividing the total # of days participants completed the "Daily Goals Form" by the total # of days they were given the opportunity to complete the "Daily Goals Form." Data was collected at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 1-month post treatment discontinuation and 3-month post treatment discontinuation.

Once the % is calculated, on the group level, statistical methods such as multi-level modeling (MLM) will be used to assess group differences in change in % days participants engaged in Daily Goals Form over time. On the individual level, statistical methods such as Reliable Change Index (RCI) will be used to assess change in % days participants engaged in Daily Goals Form that is clinically significant.
Pretreatment through 3-month post treatment discontinuation
Feasibility of the treatment
Time Frame: Three weeks since pre-treatment assessment

Feasibility of the treatment was measured by the following outcomes: % of participated treatment sessions and scores of the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI).

WAI is a 12-item self-report measure of the quality of therapist-client alliance. Scores range from 12 to 48, with higher scores indicating stronger working alliance.
Three weeks since pre-treatment assessment
Acceptability o the treatment
Time Frame: Three weeks since pre-treatment assessment

Acceptability of the treatment was measured scores of the Treatment Acceptability Questionnaire (TAQ).

Treatment Acceptability Questionnaire (TAQ) is a 6-item self-report measure of patient's rating of the treatment's acceptability, ethics, effectiveness, negative side effects, therapist knowledge, and therapist trustworthiness. Score range between 6 and 42, with higher scores indicate greater treatment acceptability.
Three weeks since pre-treatment assessment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Stacey Daughters, Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 4, 2018

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 5, 2018

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 5, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
October 2, 2018

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 11, 2018

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 15, 2018

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 1, 2019

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 30, 2019

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
January 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 18-0885

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

No

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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