# Development of a text messaging tool to support buprenorphine treatment in primary care

> **NIH NIH K23** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $180,868

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract:
 The rising opioid misuse epidemic has intensified efforts to implement cost-effective strategies to
expand access to office-based opioid treatment (OBOT). Office-based buprenorphine treatment with elements
of patient education, individualized evidence-based care plans, and expert care availability offers a patient-
centered approach to reduce the burden of opioid addiction and related comorbidities. OBOT, however,
remains underutilized in traditional healthcare settings, and barriers to expansion includes limited clinical and
administrative support, particularly during induction and stabilization. Text messaging (TM) offers a low-cost
and personalized approach to enhancing buprenorphine treatment in primary care and may address logistical
and clinical challenges previously reported by buprenorphine providers. This project investigates the
feasibility and clinical impact of a TM intervention to improve adherence to
Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration and consensus
guidelines to office-based buprenorphine treatment (e.g.,
adherence to buprenorphine, patient-provider communication, and self-management).
 The project will develop and conduct preliminary tests of a TM intervention that will improve
adherence to buprenorphine treatment, patient-provider communication, and self-management following
induction in two phases: 1) identifying key stakeholders (e.g., patients, physicians, and administrators) who
will inform the design and delivery of the TM intervention, and 2) assessing the feasibility and clinical impact
of this intervention during the first 3 months following induction to buprenorphine. Qualitative and mixed-
methods research will explore key stakeholder preferences to intervention design using the Technology
Acceptance Model. The TM intervention prototype will undergo usability testing to fine-tune intervention
components among patients entering OBOT for induction to buprenorphine. The feasibility and clinical impact
of a refined intervention prototype will then be assessed in a pilot randomized controlled trial and identify
modifications to optimize the intervention for a future efficacy trial.
 TM is the most popular mobile phone feature nationally, among patients in addiction treatment, and in
OBOT. This low-cost clinical support tool is uniquely positioned to accelerate DHHS and NIDA goals to expand
access to substance abuse treatment in traditional healthcare settings. Findings from this project will lead to
the development of a patient-centered platform that will: 1) enhance patient-provider communication and
solve patient challenges to chronic disease management in primary care including transportation and limited
in-person visit slots; 2) improve adherence to buprenorphine treatment by receiving medication reminders; 3)
promote self-management through instructions regarding self-administration of comfort medications to quell
mild withdrawal symptoms, linkage with psychosocial suppor...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10213679
- **Project number:** 5K23DA042140-05
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Babak Tofighi
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $180,868
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-15 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10213679

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10213679, Development of a text messaging tool to support buprenorphine treatment in primary care (5K23DA042140-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10213679. Licensed CC0.

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