# Effects of remote motivational enhancement and MySafeRX on post-detox engagement and retention in buprenorphine treatment

> **NIH ALLCDC R01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA · 2020 · $750,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a serious public health problem that has reached epidemic levels in the United
States. Opioid overdose deaths have increased by over 400% since 1999 and are now a leading cause of
premature death. When people with OUD step down from prison, inpatient detoxification (detox), or residential
treatment, the risk of overdose death is particularly high. Buprenorphine (BUP) can reduce opioid overdose risk
by 50%, but its blocking effect depends on full medication adherence. Retention in outpatient BUP is low with
less than 50% remaining in treatment at 6 months. Incomplete BUP adherence is common and is associated
with relapse. Recent research has demonstrated that attention to patients' beliefs about BUP may be an
important component to increase the use of BUP during high-risk periods for overdose. Novel innovative
approaches to prevent opioid overdose deaths that can support safe transition from inpatient or locked
environments to outpatient BUP treatment while enhancing medication adherence are rapidly needed to
achieve meaningful reductions in opioid overdoses. We have conducted pilot studies of a technology-based
mobile device application integrating remote motivational enhancement (RME) sessions with daily supervised
dosing from secure electronic pill dispensers via videoconference to encourage adherence during BUP
treatment called MySafeRx. This program demonstrated high levels of medication adherence among high-risk
young adults with OUD and led to 50% reduction in illicit opioid use. However, less is known about the initial
engagement period with BUP and whether offering RME sessions via video starting during inpatient detox
could help encourage people participate in outpatient BUP treatment with daily supervised dosing. This project
will conduct a randomized controlled trial among 160 people with OUD to evaluate the effect of RME sessions
on post-detox engagement in BUP treatment with daily dosing. The primary aim is to examine the effect of
RME sessions versus information alone on treatment engagement during the transition from inpatient detox to
daily outpatient supervised dosing of buprenorphine. We expect that participants enrolled in RME arm will be
engaged in outpatient BUP treatment with significantly higher proportion receiving > 10 of 14 observed BUP
doses by the end of week 2 versus information alone. Secondary aims will examine the effect of those in RME
+ MySafeRx versus information + Standard Care (in-person, onsite BUP) on retention in outpatient BUP
treatment with daily supervised dosing as well as on illicit opioid use, opioid overdoses, and overdose death
rates in the 6-months after discharge from inpatient detox. We expect this study will generate new knowledge
about the most effective way to prevent overdose and engage patients in BUP treatment with observed daily
dosing, making it easier to increase BUP treatment access and adherence.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10003102
- **Project number:** 5R01CE003039-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Kathleen Anne Moore
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $750,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2021-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10003102

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10003102, Effects of remote motivational enhancement and MySafeRX on post-detox engagement and retention in buprenorphine treatment (5R01CE003039-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10003102. Licensed CC0.

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