RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07153029

Older Adults, Methadone, and Cognitive Function

Cognitive Functioning Among Older Adults in Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Sponsor

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Enrollment

30 participants

Start Date

Dec 3, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Opioid-use Disorder Cognitive Ability, General

Summary

The increasing prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) among older adults, coupled with high overdose rates and cognitive impairments associated with opioid use, highlights a critical gap in addiction treatment. Cognitive impairments can persist despite treatment and negatively impact recovery outcomes, yet cognitive screening and interventions are rarely integrated into OUD care. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of remotely delivered, smartphone-based cognitive assessments (administered through NeuroUX web-based software) for older adults (55+) in methadone treatment. The tasks have been "gamified" to make them engaging and brief, which could be appealing to patients. They will complete the tasks for 15 days using the phone provided or their own phone. During days 6-15 of testing, tasks will become incrementally more difficult based on participant performance to assess the feasibility of cognitive training. Cognitive training uses engaging games or tasks to strengthen thinking skills like memory and focus, much like physical exercise strengthens the body. Adherence, acceptability, and usability of the tasks will be assessed. Secondary analyses will explore relationships between task performance and participant characteristics (e.g., baseline cognitive functioning, methadone dose, timing of methadone dose). Findings from this pilot study will provide foundational data for a future grant application to develop and test digital cognitive assessment and training interventions tailored to older adults in addiction treatment. By addressing a critical yet understudied aspect of OUD care this research has the potential to enhance treatment engagement, improve clinical outcomes, and support long-term recovery in the growing older population.

Eligibility

Min Age: 55 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This clinical trial is studying a behavioral approach called Smartphone based cognitive tasks for people with cognitive ability, general and opioid-use disorder. The study is currently recruiting participants at 1 location. People eligible for this study include aged 55 Years and older.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALSmartphone based cognitive tasks

15 days Smartphone/Cellphone tasks: Using NeuroUX smartphone testing software, Cognitive "games"/tasks lasting approximately 3-4 minutes each will be administered through the a smartphone application and will be prompted via text message twice per day across 15 consecutive days in the morning (8-11am) and evening (5-8). Tasks were chosen to measure aspects of diverse aspects of cognitive that are impaired among patients taking methadone, including N-back task (working memory), the Stroop Task (executive function/cognitive control), and the Variable Difficulty List Memory Test (learning and memory). The 15 days will include two types of task administration: a) Testing Phase: tasks administered at a consistent, fixed difficulty level (days 1-5) b) Remediation Phase: increasing task difficulty in response to participant performance (days 6-15). To encourage adherence, researchers will contact participants to remind them of task completion.