Despite the low rates of individuals receiving treatment for substance abuse, especially among disadvantaged populations, researchers at the University of Oklahoma are working on mobile health interventions that can make evidence-based treatments more accessible. Through the Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC), led by Michael Businelle, Ph.D., efforts are being made to create and study smartphone-delivered interventions for substance use disorders, with the goal of reaching those who cannot or do not want to enter traditional in-person treatment settings. The Insight™ mHealth Platform was launched in 2015 to test technology-based interventions and address the shortage of care providers and other barriers to treatment.
Businelle and his team are conducting several mobile health studies related to substance abuse, using the Insight™ mHealth Platform. While the field of mobile health is expanding, with applications not only for substance abuse but also for mental health disorders, Businelle highlights the need for rigorously tested smartphone apps that fill gaps in treatment. One of his recommendations for future research in the field is to re-randomize clinical trial participants, allowing for a more tailored treatment approach based on individual responses. By using technology to objectively verify self-reports of substance use, the accuracy of studies can be improved.
Another key recommendation from Businelle is to redefine success in mobile health substance abuse trials. Instead of focusing solely on whether a person is still using a substance at the end of a trial, he suggests measuring outcomes at various intervals to obtain a more accurate assessment of the effectiveness of an intervention. While mobile health technology has its limitations, such as the absence of a therapeutic relationship between patient and therapist, it has the potential to reduce stigma associated with in-person treatment. As mobile health interventions become more refined, they could become a primary form of treatment for substance abuse, with traditional counseling reserved for those who do not respond to mobile interventions.
Despite the advancements in mobile health technology for substance abuse, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. Few health apps have undergone the necessary research to determine their effectiveness, and the field is in its early stages. Businelle emphasizes the importance of objective verification of self-reported substance use and suggests the development of noninvasive technologies to detect substance use without invasive sampling methods. By redefining what constitutes a successful outcome in mobile health interventions and continuously improving approaches for substance abuse treatment, researchers like Businelle are paving the way for a more accessible and effective treatment landscape for those dealing with substance use disorders.
