Meyer B, Utter G, Hillman CA. (2021). Personalized, Interactive, cognitive behavioral therapy–based digital therapeutic (MODIA) for adjunctive treatment of opioid use disorder: Development study. JMIR Ment Health 2021;8(10):e31173. doi: 10.2196/31173
MODIA is a digital therapeutic developed to provide treatment for patients with opioid use disorder. MODIA is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and designed to be used together with a clinician-supervised medication treatment program. MODIA is personalized and interactive and includes CBT activities and skill development to cope with substance cravings, withdrawal symptoms, high risk use situations, and mental health symptoms. MODIA also gives users the option to make a customized relapse prevention plan. Researchers used a software technology (Broca) that tailors content based on users’ ongoing responses during use of MODIA. The MODIA program can be accessed through any device with an Internet connection (i.e., smartphones, laptops, tablets). There are 24 modules or “chats” and patients are instructed to complete 1 or 2 chats per week. Throughout the program, there are self-rated surveys to assess the patient’s progress and symptoms. Researchers hypothesize that MODIA may improve opioid use disorder management and lead to better psychological outcomes for patients. Currently, MODIA is a prescription-only device ordered by a clinician and it has not been clinically tested.