Testing the Efficacy of an Online Treatment Program for Heavy Cannabis Use
1 other identifier
interventional
152
1 country
2
Brief Summary
Cannabis is a frequently-used psychoactive substance. While the majority of individuals can use cannabis without experiencing problems, a small minority of people develop cannabis problems. Despite the small-to-medium reported effect sizes of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement therapy (MET) treatments for cannabis misuse, many cannabis users do not seek treatment. Online CBT/MET programs have the potential to be cost-effective and accessible, and offer a less stigmatizing option for treatment. These programs may also help capture cannabis users who experience subclinical problems, who are not captured by traditional treatment. Existing treatment programs also need to be adapted to maximize participant retention and increase treatment completion, as many current cannabis use treatment programs have significant drop-out rates. Hence, the goal of the proposed randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to examine the efficacy of an online evidence-based CBT/MET treatment program. Outcomes of a combined CBT/MET treatment program will be compared to a CBT-only treatment program and a waitlist control. This research will provide insight into the novel contribution of MET to online CBT treatment programs for cannabis misuse. The researchers are hoping to recruit 303 participants for this study from Central and Eastern Canada. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups (i.e., CBT with MET, CBT without MET) or the psychoeducational control group. Individuals in either treatment group will be given 6 weeks to work through 8 online modules. Throughout the modules, participants will identify goals related to cannabis use, learn strategies to cope with cannabis cravings, triggers, and social pressures and learn to prevent relapse. Participants randomly assigned to the control (i.e., psychoeducation) will receive links to websites that provide general psychoeducation about cannabis use and wellbeing. All participants will complete online assessment measures at baseline, end of treatment, and at follow up approximately one month later (i.e., 0 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks) in order to assess the efficacy of the treatment. At the end of the study, individuals in the control group will be given access to the CBT without MET treatment.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable
Started Aug 2022
2 active sites
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
July 6, 2021
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
July 16, 2021
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
August 25, 2022
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
October 1, 2023
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
October 1, 2023
CompletedDecember 1, 2023
November 1, 2023
1.1 years
July 6, 2021
November 30, 2023
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Change in Cannabis Use
The Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory (DFAQ-CU; Cuttler \& Spradlin, 2017) is a self-report inventory of cannabis use that will be used as the primary assessment of cannabis use. The frequency (i.e., number of days per week) and quantity (i.e., grams) of cannabis use subscales will be used. There is mixed evidence as to whether frequency or quantity better predicts cannabis-related severity, thus information on both will be analyzed.
Participants will be assessed using the DFAQ-CU at three time points (i.e., prior to treatment; T0); immediately following the 6-week treatment (T1), and at follow-up (i.e., 10 weeks from baseline, 4 weeks from end of treatment, T2).
Secondary Outcomes (4)
Cannabis-Related Problems
Participants will be assessed using the CUDIT-R at three time points (i.e., prior to treatment; T0); immediately following the 6-week treatment (T1), and at follow-up (i.e., 10 weeks from baseline, 4 weeks from end of treatment, T2).
Anxiety
Participants will be assessed using the GAD-7 at three time points (i.e., prior to treatment; T0); immediately following the 6-week treatment (T1), and at follow-up (i.e., 10 weeks from baseline, 4 weeks from end of treatment, T2).
Depression
Participants will be assessed using the PHQ-9 at three time points (i.e., prior to treatment; T0); immediately following the 6-week treatment (T1), and at follow-up (i.e., 10 weeks from baseline, 4 weeks from end of treatment, T2).
Quality of Life
Participants will be assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF at three time points (i.e., prior to treatment; T0); immediately following the 6-week treatment (T1), and at follow-up (i.e., 10 weeks from baseline, 4 weeks from end of treatment, T2).
Study Arms (3)
CBT with MET treatment group
EXPERIMENTALParticipants in this arm will be provided with an MET-therapist guided introduction, in addition to the online CBT treatment.
CBT without MET treatment group
EXPERIMENTALParticipants in this arm will be provided with a brief non-MET research assistant-led welcome to the program, in addition to the online CBT treatment.
Psychoeducation (Control)
NO INTERVENTIONThe control group will be provided with psychoeducational resources about cannabis and wellbeing.
Interventions
The CBT with MET treatment condition will begin with an MET-therapist guided introduction to the program and first module. After this guided introduction, they will have access to the remaining 7 treatment modules and have 6 weeks to complete them. The content of all modules is derived from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Through module engagement, participants will identify goals related to cannabis use, learn strategies to cope with cravings, triggers, and social pressures, and learn to how prevent relapse. Participants will work through modules sequentially.
The CBT without MET treatment condition will begin with a brief non-MET trained research assistant welcome to the program, and will not include working through the first module together. After this welcome, they will have access to the 8 treatment modules and have 6 weeks to complete them. The content of all modules is derived from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Through module engagement, participants will identify goals related to cannabis use, learn strategies to cope with cravings, triggers, and social pressures, and learn to how prevent relapse. Participants will work through modules sequentially.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Ages 19+
- Living in Manitoba or Ontario, Canada
- Reporting moderate difficulties with cannabis as indicated by a score of 8 or more on the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test - Revised (CUDIT-R; Adamson et al., 2010)
- Fluency in English
- Having weekly Internet access with a device that allows for video connection
- Self-report at least a 6 out of 10 on a Likert-type scale for motivation to reduce cannabis use (i.e., how important it is to reduce cannabis use)
You may not qualify if:
- Self-reported engagement in other psychological or pharmacological treatments for cannabis use
- Elevated suicidality, as defined by scoring greater than minimal risk on a screener
- Current serious psychiatric disorders or history of psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
- Are a woman who is currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- York Universitylead
- University of Manitobacollaborator
Study Sites (2)
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
York University
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Related Publications (1)
Rysen KK, Carusone JM, Wardell JD, Schaub MP, Wenger A, Wallbridge H, Edgerton JD, Kruk R, Mackenzie CS, Keough MT. Evidence-based therapist guided introduction to online heavy cannabis use treatment in Canadian adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). J Cannabis Res. 2026 Jan 17. doi: 10.1186/s42238-025-00378-5. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 41547862DERIVED
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Assistant Professor
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
July 6, 2021
First Posted
July 16, 2021
Study Start
August 25, 2022
Primary Completion
October 1, 2023
Study Completion
October 1, 2023
Last Updated
December 1, 2023
Record last verified: 2023-11
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share