Efficacy of Adaptive, Gamified Digital Therapeutics Intervention for Individuals With Methamphetamine Use Disorder in Community Rehabilitation

Overview

This study evaluates the efficacy of a comprehensive, adaptive digital therapeutics (DTx) smartphone application compared to treatment as usual (TAu) for individuals with Methamphetamine Use Disorder (MUD) receiving community-based rehabilitation. The intervention integrates Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT), adaptive Approach Bias Modification (A-ApBM), cognitive training, and contingency management. The primary hypothesis is that the DTx intervention will result in a greater reduction in cue-induced craving compared to standard community care.

Methamphetamine Use Disorder (MUD) lacks effective pharmacotherapies, and traditional psychosocial interventions face scalability challenges in community settings. This pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to assess a smartphone-based digital therapeutic intervention designed to overcome these barriers. Participants recruited from 12 community rehabilitation centers in Sichuan, China, are randomized 1:1 to either the DTx group or the Treatment as Usual (TAu) group. The DTx group uses a smartphone application ("WonderLab Harbor+") for 8 weeks as an adjunct to standard care. The app includes: 1. Weekly Internet-based CBT sessions. 2. Daily Adaptive Approach Bias Modification (A-ApBM) training, which dynamically adjusts difficulty based on performance. 3. Gamified cognitive function training. 4. A contingency management system rewarding adherence. The TAu group receives standard counseling services provided by community social workers. The primary outcome is the change in self-reported cue-induced craving from baseline to 8 weeks.