Examining Feasibility and Acceptability of Telemedicine for Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

April 28, 2026 updated by: Allison Lin, University of Michigan

The objective of this pilot intervention study is to iteratively refine motivational interviewing and psychosocial intervention programs delivered via telehealth (Teletx) to help improve substance use and other related outcomes in SUD patients who are not receiving SUD care. We will examine feasibility and acceptability of these pilot psychosocial programs in a total of n=50 participants. The goal is to refine the programs to improve acceptability and feasibility and collect preliminary data for a future fully powered randomized controlled trial (RCT) in the future.

In addition to study sessions, participants that are enrolled in the study will complete surveys prior to, during, and after treatment.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

50

Phase

  • 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

  • United States
    • Michigan
      • Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109
        • University of Michigan

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

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Outpatient care at Michigan Medicine in past year
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) SUD diagnosis and/or substance use on average of 2 days a week over the past month
  • Have a Smart phone, tablet or another Wi-Fi or data-enabled device (e.g. with a camera)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Inability to speak or understand English
  • Conditions that preclude informed consent (e.g., acute psychosis, cognitive deficits) or understanding of assessment or program content
  • Prior alcohol withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens (DTs). Those who are at-risk of complicated withdrawal (e.g., seizures, DTs) require greater medical attention and will be excluded and referred to their clinician for medical management.

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: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Teletx
The evidence-based manualized psychosocial programs that will be delivered via telehealth are adaptations of cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and other psychosocial interventions to enhance initial and ongoing treatment engagement. TeleTx consists of up to 8 ~30-50 minute psychosocial sessions delivered via phone or videoconference platform (e.g. Zoom etc).
Behavioral: MI-CBT Teletx
Participants will first receive a 20-45 min phone or video session focused on raising participants' motivation to engage in treatment activities and psychoeducation material about substance use (i.e. "engagement session") including possible discussion about risks of substance use, value of alternative healthier activities, and the community and crisis resources pamphlet. The evidence-based manualized psychosocial programs that will be delivered via telehealth are adaptations of cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and other psychosocial interventions to enhance initial and ongoing treatment engagement. TeleTx consists of up to 8 ~30-50 minute psychosocial sessions delivered via phone or videoconference platform (e.g. Zoom etc)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Feasibility of the intervention (engagement)
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Percent (%) of participants engaging in the intervention
8 weeks
Tele-Tx Intervention acceptability
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Study-specific acceptability rating completed by participants. Based on Likert scale, higher scores indicate greater treatment acceptability
8 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in frequency of substance use as reported on the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB)
Time Frame: baseline, 8 weeks post-baseline
Based on frequency and quantity, higher scores indicate worse outcome.
baseline, 8 weeks post-baseline
Change in Alcohol Consumption
Time Frame: baseline, 8 weeks post baseline
Alcohol consumption will be assessed using the 30-day Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB). The TLFB will capture information on the frequency and quantity of alcohol use including binge drinking, with total consumption calculated.
baseline, 8 weeks post baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Michigan

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Allison Lin, MD, University of Michigan

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)

November 11, 2022

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 18, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 18, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 19, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 19, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

February 24, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 5, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 28, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • HUM00189259

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

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

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.

Clinical Trials on Substance Use

Clinical Trials on MI-CBT Teletx

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Chile

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe