The investigators will conduct a phase I study involving 41 participants selected randomly among patients prescribed buprenorphine-naloxone for opioid misuse as a feasibility trial of the study of the Pillsy device. The study will track the effectiveness of the Pillsy technology and associated smartphone application by measuring adherence to buprenorphine-naloxone therapy and patient satisfaction with the application and the Pillsy device.
The purpose of this randomized, controlled trial in Phase I is to determine whether the Pillsy intervention can improve adherence to buprenorphine-naloxone compared to Service As Usual. This will be a collaborative study between WSU, Pillsy, Inc, and the clinical site Ideal Options (opioid use and other substance use disorders treatment center). The overarching goal is to evaluate if the use of the Pillsy system will improve treatment adherence. The study coordinator will work closely with the clinical site, conducting a scripted screening, by phone or in person, documenting substance use, addiction treatment history, medical and psychiatric history, medication, addiction treatment goals, and availability of social support. The Pillsy device is a smart cap that tracks pill bottle openings and uses lighted reminders to prompt patients when to take their medication. The Pillsy Helper feature is a smartphone application that sends text and phone reminders as well as links to the participant named family and friend support networks. The Pillsy Helpers feature allows participants to name friends and family members who will also receive a text message notification 1 hour after a missed dose to reach out to offer support. In addition, the prescriber will be contacted when the patient has missed a dose, giving the prescriber the opportunity to intervene. Study participants will be randomized to one of two groups. The control group will receive the Pillsy cap alone. The active group will receive the Pillsy cap and smartphone application with associated benefits. To measure adherence, all participants will provide a urine sample at each study visit and complete a questionnaire (ex: AUDIT, Fagerstrom, Addiction Severity Index, Timeline Follow-Back) and survey that assesses their satisfaction with treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
41
If the participant does not take their medicine at the correct time, a light on the smart pill cap begins to flash. If the bottle is not opened within 20 minutes, the Pillsy application sends an SMS text reminder to the participant's phone. If the bottle is not opened within 60 minutes, the participant receives an automated phone call. The participant may also receive brief motivational phrases or craving surveys that can be tailored to participant needs and preferences. Also, based on pre-populated and adjustable craving and withdrawal levels, the participants' provider could be contacted automatically based on the thresholds being crossed. Pillsy also includes a "Pillsy Helpers" feature in which the patient can name friends and family members who will also receive a text message notification one hour after a missed dose.
Washington State University
Spokane, Washington, United States
Mean Medication Possession Ratio
Change in adherence to buprenorphine-naloxone treatment assessed by medication possession ratio (MPR). This was calculated as mean over the course of the trial. MPR is the sum of the days' supply for all fills of a given drug in a particular time period, divided by the number of days in the time period (time period varies based on length of prescription given by provider). MPR is typically expressed as a percentage, however below we express it as the result of the fraction. This measurement was based on pharmacy fills (days supply).
Time frame: 12 weeks
Participant Engagement
Participant engagement quantified through days of retention in treatment.
Time frame: 12 weeks (Assessed at screening visit, week 1 visit, week 6 visit and week 12 visit)
Week 1, Number of Participants Satisfied With Pillsy Usability and Reminder Feedback System
Week 1 "Pillsy Satisfaction Survey". "Yes" vs "No" question: "Are you satisfied with the Pillsy system overall?". Outcome data measured is count of participants endorsing yes.
Time frame: Week 1
Number of Days Participant Self-reported Other Substance Use
Participant self-report of other substance use (alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit opioids) is assessed with Timeline Follow-back measure
Time frame: 12 weeks
Change in Use of Non-prescribed Opioids
Use of non-prescribed opioids is assessed via urinalysis (UA) by the treatment team at Ideal Option, as a standard of care. Ideal Option will share this data with the study team (through signed data use agreement). Our study team will evaluate change in use of non-prescribed opioids over the course of the study, based on the data provided by the clinic. Below it is expressed as the mean number of illicit opioid positive UAs submitted out of the total number of UAs submitted for each arm.
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Time frame: 12 weeks
Week 6, Number of Participants Satisfied With Pillsy Usability and Reminder Feedback System
Week 6 "Pillsy Satisfaction Survey". "Yes" vs "No" question: "Are you satisfied with the Pillsy system overall?" Outcome data measured is count of participants endorsing yes.
Time frame: Week 6
Week 12, Number of Participants Satisfied With Pillsy Usability and Reminder Feedback System
Week 12 "Pillsy Satisfaction Survey". "Yes" vs "No" question: "Are you satisfied with the Pillsy system overall?" Outcome data measured is count of participants endorsing yes.
Time frame: Week 12