# mHealth to help pregnant and postpartum women in recovery for opioid use disorder

> **NIH NIH R34** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $235,628

## Abstract

The opioid epidemic has resulted in widespread detrimental consequences among vulnerable
populations in Missouri, especially among pregnant and postpartum women (PPW) with opioid
use disorder (OUD). Perinatal use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) within a
comprehensive treatment plan is the current standard of care, however PPW struggling with
OUD may underestimate or misjudge its benefits. At the same time, emerging findings signal
that mobile health (mHealth) technologies have the potential to support healthier behaviors
among individuals with OUD. In this project, we will test the utility of a theoretically-based
digital therapeutics tool (uMAT-R) to encourage MAT adherence and treatment retention while
considering the unique needs of PPW. In Aim #1, we will conduct four focus groups with PPW
with OUD (target users) on the intervention components of uMAT-R, gathering feedback on
theory-driven components that are candidates for inclusion in the tool and eliciting suggestions
for additional intervention components. In Aim #2, the tool will be beta-tested for
technical/navigational issues among 20 participants. In Aim #3, we will conduct a pilot
randomized controlled trial (RCT) among adult PPW with OUD (n=60). This RCT is designed to
test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of uMAT-R (n=40) versus a control
group (n=20 who receive treatment-as-usual) regarding participants’ treatment adherence,
sobriety, and improved MAT attitudes, norms, and perceived control. Recruitment for all Aims
will occur at a clinic in St. Louis, Missouri that provides perinatal medication-assisted treatment
(MAT) and high-risk maternity care to PPW struggling with OUD. Clinically meaningful effect
size and attrition estimates will aid in the planning of a larger RCT in which we will test uMAT-R
on a larger scale and expand our recruitment to other clinics across Missouri and other states.
This novel technology could be an invaluable tool to assist physicians in the treatment of OUD
among PPW.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9916133
- **Project number:** 1R34DA050453-01
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Patricia A Cavazos-Rehg
- **Activity code:** R34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $235,628
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9916133

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9916133, mHealth to help pregnant and postpartum women in recovery for opioid use disorder (1R34DA050453-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9916133. Licensed CC0.

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