Potential benefits of using ecological momentary assessment to study high-risk polydrug use

Abstract

Background: While studies have documented both the feasibility and acceptability of using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to study drug use, there is little empirical research assessing participants' perceptions of utilizing this technology-driven approach.Methods: Participants were English-speaking persons ≥18 years old who reported injection drug use and sequential (e.g., alcohol followed by opioid use) or simultaneous (i.e., injecting heroin and cocaine in one shot) polydrug use within 30 days recruited in San Diego, CA and Philadelphia, PA. Participants (N=36) completed two cell phone-based EMA simulations assessing mood, drug use, HIV risk behaviors, and daily activities, followed by semi-structured interviews that probed for potential benefits of participation over time.Qualitative analysis involved an iterative process of reviewing texts from the interviews to create a coding framework, which was then applied to all transcripts to identify themes.Results: Findings suggest participants may derive indirect benefits from participation in EMA studies including: improved self-worth from helping others; experiencing increased social support through utilization of the study-provided mobile device for non-research purposes; and most importantly, increased self-reflection, which could lead to therapeutic and intervention-like effects such as decreased substance use or reduced HIV risk. Conclusions:Participants identified a variety of potential benefits from participating in a study that utilizes EMA. This research suggests that benefits are highly salient for individuals involved in studies of polydrug use.

Exploring multiple drug use by integrating mobile health and qualitative mapping methods - An individual case study

“…The value of mHealth methods for researching tobacco use is established ( Ferguson & Shiffman, 2011 ). mHealth methods are now used to research patterns and situational predictors of use of other substances, including cannabis, opioids, cocaine, MDMA, and alcohol (e.g., Roth et al, 2017 ;Santa Maria et al, 2017 ). Because mHealth surveys must be kept short to reduce participant burden and encourage data collection compliance, they cannot capture the richness of individuals' experiences of use contexts and practices, nor how individuals make sense of their drug use within the context of their broader life narratives.…”

Short Take: Collecting Data from a Vulnerable Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The study included both in-person and digital components spanning four weeks. Participants arrived at the site, completed an electronic intake survey, and received a smartphone device ( Capon 2016 ; Roth et al 2017 ; Tyler and Schmitz 2017 ). Using an app on the device, participants answered daily questions about drug use and social interactions and returned weekly to receive compensation for their responses (see Online Appendix B ).…”

Collecting Data from a Vulnerable Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The study included both in-person and digital components spanning four weeks. Participants would arrive at the site, complete an electronic intake survey and receive a smartphone device (Capon 2016;Roth et al 2017;Tyler and Schmitz 2017). Using the device, participants then answer daily questions about drug use and social interactions through an app, returning to receive compensation for their responses weekly (see Appendix A).…”