# Developing a Telehealth + mHealth Cannabis Use Intervention for Young Adults (MOMENT-V)

> **NIH NIH R34** · BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2024 · $222,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Daily cannabis use among young adults aged 18-26 years is at historically high levels and >4.8 million young
adults meet criteria for cannabis use disorder (CUD). Heavy cannabis exposure during brain development
adversely affects cognition, emotions, risk for psychiatric disorders, and educational and other social
outcomes. However, most young adults with CUD do not receive treatment, with disparities by sex and
race/ethnicity. Brief motivational interventions may be effective for CUD in young adults, but effects are small
and evidence is of low quality. Combining motivational interventions with other approaches may enhance
effectiveness, and provision in primary care and use of telehealth may improve reach and reduce disparities.
We have developed a novel intervention, MOMENT-V, that combines telehealth motivational enhancement
therapy (MET) with mobile health (mHealth) ecological momentary intervention (EMI) to provide a fully remote
brief intervention for CUD in young adults seen in primary care, building on our prior research on cannabis use
in daily life, a brief intervention with in-person MET plus EMI, adapting in-person counseling for the virtual
environment, and brief interventions in primary care. In an open pilot, 100% of young adults were retained, and
satisfaction and engagement with MOMENT-V was high. We now propose a pilot randomized controlled trial of
MOMENT-V vs. enhanced usual care in 60 young adults aged 18-26 years with CUD recruited from primary
care clinics, using mixed methods and with follow-up at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The specific aims
are to determine 1) intervention feasibility (primary outcomes: intervention completion, EMI engagement,
acceptability), 2) trial feasibility (primary outcomes: screening, eligibility, enrollment, retention), and 3)
preliminary efficacy (primary outcomes: cannabis use frequency, problems from/negative consequences of
cannabis use). Primary outcomes will be evaluated against a priori benchmarks. Secondary outcomes will
include MET adherence to motivational interviewing principles, therapeutic alliance, duration of study activities,
barriers, facilitators, CUD symptoms, amount of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) used in standard units,
motivation to change use, psychological distress, cognitive function, and quality of life. All intervention and trial
procedures will be conducted remotely. Additionally, we will explore the feasibility of videorecorded and live
video-observed oral fluid testing for THC and of using these results to assess cannabis reduction in a fully
remote trial. This proposal is responsive to PAR-22-183 areas of special interest, including research that uses
innovative technologies and Stage I treatment development research testing behavioral interventions within
primary care. Results will be used to develop an R01 proposal for a fully powered randomized controlled trial to
test the effectiveness of MOMENT-V. Findings from the proposed...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11059765
- **Project number:** 1R34DA060500-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** LYDIA A. SHRIER
- **Activity code:** R34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $222,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11059765

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11059765, Developing a Telehealth + mHealth Cannabis Use Intervention for Young Adults (MOMENT-V) (1R34DA060500-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11059765. Licensed CC0.

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