Evaluation of real‐world outcomes associated with use of a prescription digital therapeutic to treat substance use disorders

• Published in: The American journal on addictions 2023-01, Vol.32 (1), p.24-31
• Main Authors: Xiong, Xiaorui, Braun, Stephen, Stitzer, Maxine, Luderer, Hilary, Shafai, Gigi, Hare, Brendan, Stevenson, Michael, Maricich, Yuri
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Behavior Therapy; Female; Humans; Male; Prescriptions; Substance-Related Disorders - drug therapy; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1055-0496; 1521-0391
• DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13346

Background and Objectives Digital therapeutics can expand the reach and fidelity of behavioral treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). This analysis evaluated real‐world engagement and clinical outcomes in patients diagnosed with SUD who were prescribed reSET®, an FDA‐authorized prescription digital therapeutic (PDT). Methods Patients were prescribed a 12‐week PDT comprising 61 therapy lessons (31 “core” and 30 “keep learning” lessons) and contingency management rewards (positive reinforcement message or monetary gift cards) based on lesson completion and negative urine drug screens. Engagement (defined as any activity in the PDT), retention (any activity in Weeks 9–12), and substance use data were collected automatically by the PDT and analyzed descriptively. Associations between early lesson completion and end‐of‐treatment outcomes were assessed. Results Six hundred and fifty‐eight patients filled their prescription. Evaluated were 602 patients who were exposed to therapeutic content by completing at least one lesson (median age 37 years, 33% female, 41% male, 26% unreported sex). Median lessons completed was 33 (out of 61 possible), and 52% of patients completed all core modules. Retention in treatment during the last 4 weeks of treatment was 74%, and 62% were abstinent (missing data considered positive). [Correction added on 13 December 2022, after first online publication: In the preceding sentence, the treatment percentage values were revised from 74.6% to 74%.] Discussion and Conclusions Patients with SUD exhibited robust engagement with a PDT, high rates of retention through 12 weeks, and substantial rates of abstinence at end of treatment when the therapeutic was used in a real‐world setting. PDT's hold promise as a new way to access effective SUD treatment. Scientific Significance This study is the first to report real‐world PDT engagement and clinical outcomes data from a large, geographically diverse population of patients with SUDs.