Remote Pregnancy & Opioid Treatment Research Study

Researchers at the University of South Carolina are conducting a study to develop strategies to use app-based technology to help mothers in early recovery from opioid use (i.e., therapy, buprenorphine, methadone, etc.).

Fast Facts

Ages 18+

Pregnant in the 2nd/3rd Trimester

Compensation Provided

Conducted Remotely in the US

Study Background

Researchers at the University of South Carolina are trying to explore the benefits of providing parenting and recovery support for pregnant mothers through digital technology (e.g. smartphones).

Participants will be assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive a book on productive parenting and other educational resources, while the other group will receive a smartphone app with parenting and recovery resources.  

Participants will engage with their assigned resource over a 12-week period and complete a set of surveys three times, once before they begin the study, once at the 6-week mark, and once at the 12 week mark. Participants will also be asked to complete a 1-hour virtual interview at the end of the study about their experience in the study.

Study Background

Researchers at the University of South Carolina are trying to explore the benefits of providing parenting and recovery support for pregnant mothers through digital technology (e.g. smartphones).

Participants will be assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive a book on productive parenting and other educational resources, while the other group will receive a smartphone app with parenting and recovery resources.  

Participants will engage with their assigned resource over a 12-week period and complete a set of surveys three times, once before they begin the study, once at the 6-week mark, and once at the 12 week mark. Participants will also be asked to complete a 1-hour virtual interview at the end of the study about their experience in the study.

Additional Information

Through this research, we plan to develop strategies to use app-based technology to help mothers in early recovery from opioid use (i.e., therapy, buprenorphine, methadone, etc.).

You may qualify for a study if you meet the following criteria.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Ages 18+ years old
  • Pregnant in the 2nd/3rd trimester
  • Receiving treatment for opioid use disorder (i.e., therapy, buprenorphine, methadone, etc.)
  • Not currently using opioids
  • Not currently living in a residential treatment center
  • Not currently incarcerated
  • Able to speak and understand English

The entire study is conducted 100% virtually with 4 points of contact from the research team. We’ll reach out to you by email or phone, except for the virtual interview, which is hosted on Microsoft TEAMS. You can join the interview on your phone or a laptop.

  • The first point of contact will be onboarding you to the study. During this call, we will screen and verify your eligibility, review our informed consent document, ask for your consent to participate, randomly assign you to the book or app group, get you access to that resource (i.e., mailing you the book or helping you set up the app), and complete the first set of surveys.
  • The second point of contact is at the 6-week mark; you will be asked to complete the second set of survey questions.
  • The third point of contact is at the 12-week mark; you will be asked to complete the final surveys, and will set up a date and time for your final interview. Interviews are conducted virtually through Microsoft Teams and scheduled so they are about 3 months postpartum.
  • The fourth point of contact will be to complete the interview with the research staff.

Participants receive a $50 gift card for completing the surveys when they are first enrolled, $50 gift card for completing the 6-week surveys, $75 for completing the 12-week surveys, and $25 for time spent doing the one-hour interview. Participants are compensated up to $200 for their participation in the study

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.