Trial Outcomes & Findings for Preventing Prescription Stimulant Diversion and Medication Misuse Via a Web-Based Simulation Intervention (NCT NCT04885166)
NCT ID: NCT04885166
Last Updated: 2026-04-08
Results Overview
participants will note how many times they have engaged in diversion (i.e., giving away, selling, or trading one's prescribed medication)
COMPLETED
NA
249 participants
baseline, 3-months, 6-months
2026-04-08
Participant Flow
Participant milestones
| Measure |
Web-based Simulation Intervention
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
Placebo Condition
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
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|---|---|---|
|
Overall Study
STARTED
|
122
|
113
|
|
Overall Study
COMPLETED
|
110
|
90
|
|
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
|
12
|
23
|
Reasons for withdrawal
Withdrawal data not reported
Baseline Characteristics
Although we consented 249 participants, only 235 completed the baseline survey and thus provided data on their age at the time of study entry.
Baseline characteristics by cohort
| Measure |
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Total
n=235 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
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|---|---|---|---|
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Age, Continuous
|
20.29 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.79 • n=527 Participants • Although we consented 249 participants, only 235 completed the baseline survey and thus provided data on their age at the time of study entry.
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20.56 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.81 • n=527 Participants • Although we consented 249 participants, only 235 completed the baseline survey and thus provided data on their age at the time of study entry.
|
20.42 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.80 • n=1054 Participants • Although we consented 249 participants, only 235 completed the baseline survey and thus provided data on their age at the time of study entry.
|
|
Sex: Female, Male
Female
|
98 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
76 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
174 Participants
n=1054 Participants
|
|
Sex: Female, Male
Male
|
24 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
37 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
61 Participants
n=1054 Participants
|
|
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
|
26 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
19 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
45 Participants
n=1054 Participants
|
|
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
|
96 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
94 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
190 Participants
n=1054 Participants
|
|
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
|
0 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
0 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
0 Participants
n=1054 Participants
|
|
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
|
0 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
2 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
2 Participants
n=1054 Participants
|
|
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
|
5 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
0 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
5 Participants
n=1054 Participants
|
|
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
|
0 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
0 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
0 Participants
n=1054 Participants
|
|
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
|
1 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
2 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
3 Participants
n=1054 Participants
|
|
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
|
104 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
98 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
202 Participants
n=1054 Participants
|
|
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
|
10 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
8 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
18 Participants
n=1054 Participants
|
|
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
|
2 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
3 Participants
n=527 Participants
|
5 Participants
n=1054 Participants
|
|
Region of Enrollment
United States
|
122 participants
n=527 Participants
|
113 participants
n=527 Participants
|
235 participants
n=1054 Participants
|
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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom Severity
|
46.75 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.05 • n=527 Participants
|
46.10 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.40 • n=527 Participants
|
46.43 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.71 • n=1054 Participants
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: baseline, 3-months, 6-monthsPopulation: There was one fewer participant in the placebo group who responded to the 6-month follow-up survey compared to the 3-month survey.
participants will note how many times they have engaged in diversion (i.e., giving away, selling, or trading one's prescribed medication)
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=91 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=110 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
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|---|---|---|
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Frequency of Prescription Stimulant Diversion
3-month follow-up
|
.41 Mean number of times diverted
Standard Deviation .17
|
.25 Mean number of times diverted
Standard Deviation .09
|
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Frequency of Prescription Stimulant Diversion
6-month follow-up
|
.30 Mean number of times diverted
Standard Deviation .08
|
.18 Mean number of times diverted
Standard Deviation .08
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PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: baseline, 3-months, 6-monthsPopulation: Because of participants lost to follow-up at each time point, the total number post-intervention; 3-months, and 6-months is slightly lower.
Intentions to divert stimulant medication were assessed with two questions from the Behavior, Expectancies, Attitudes and College Health Questionnaire (Bavarian et al., 2013) adapted to address diversion: "How likely is it that you will give away, \[or sell, trade\] your stimulant medication in the next three months?". These questions had a four-point response scale (1=very unlikely, 4=very likely). Responses were summed and ranged from 2-8, with 8 indicating the greatest intention to divert (worse outcome).
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
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|---|---|---|
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Intention to Divert Prescription Stimulant Medication
3-month follow-up
|
2.57 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.27
|
2.33 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .91
|
|
Intention to Divert Prescription Stimulant Medication
6-month follow-up
|
2.53 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .97
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2.29 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .82
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: baseline, 3-months, 6-monthsPopulation: Includes participants who completed the 3- or 6-month follow-up assessment.
participants will indicate any instances of (a) using alternative routes of administration, (b) taking more than your recommended dose, (c) taking someone else's stimulant medication, (d) taking your stimulant with other drugs in order to experience intoxicating effects, or (e) intentionally getting high on your prescribed stimulant medication?
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=91 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=110 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
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|---|---|---|
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Frequency of Prescription Stimulant Medication Misuse
3-months
|
1.80 Number of times misused medication
Standard Deviation 4.60
|
2.02 Number of times misused medication
Standard Deviation 12.30
|
|
Frequency of Prescription Stimulant Medication Misuse
6-months
|
2.03 Number of times misused medication
Standard Deviation 7.26
|
1.49 Number of times misused medication
Standard Deviation 11.11
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PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: baseline (immediately after simulation or placebo presentation)We will assess the usefulness, information quality, and interface quality of the simulation using the 13-item Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire. A mean score of 1 indicates lowest level of satisfaction, while a mean score of 7 would indicate the highest level of satisfaction.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
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|---|---|---|
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User Satisfaction With the Simulation/Placebo
|
6.31 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .63
|
6.47 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .6
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: baseline (immediately after simulation or placebo presentation)Participants will respond to 15 items related to the perceived usefulness, user control, and impact of the simulation/placebo. A mean score of 1 would indicate the lowest level of perceived usability; a mean score of 5 would indicate the highest rating of usability.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
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|---|---|---|
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Usability of the Simulation/Placebo
|
4.21 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .52
|
4.05 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .70
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: 1 monthPopulation: Number of participants analyzed may differ from overall number due to participants lost at one-month follow-up.
Booster session #1 is delivered via a slide deck and reviews the key points from the slideshow they viewed at the beginning of the study. Then, participants have to answer 5 questions related to the content. We assess engagement in the online booster session #1 on a 0-5 scale by summing the number of correct answers to the five comprehension questions embedded in the online booster. Each correct item receives one point. Scores ranged from 0 to 5, with 5 indicating the most engagement and accurate understanding of the content.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=103 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=115 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
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|---|---|---|
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1 Month Booster Engagement
|
3.78 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.21
|
4.69 score on a scale
Standard Deviation .58
|
PRIMARY outcome
Timeframe: 2 monthsPopulation: Participant numbers are lower than baseline due to participants lost at follow-up.
Booster session #2 is delivered via a slide deck and reviews the key points from the slideshow they viewed at the beginning of the study. Then, participants have to answer 5 questions related to the content. We assess engagement in the online booster session #2 on a 0-5 scale by summing the number of correct answers to the five comprehension questions embedded in the online booster. Each correct item receives one point. Scores ranged from 0 to 5, with 5 indicating the most engagement and accurate understanding of the content.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=93 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
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|---|---|---|
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2 Month Booster Engagement
|
4.00 score on a scale
Standard Deviation .85
|
4.76 score on a scale
Standard Deviation .49
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SECONDARY outcome
Timeframe: baseline, 3-months, 6-monthsPopulation: Participant totals may be lower at follow-up due to study attrition.
Participants will rate their confidence to (1) resist giving away their medication, (2) resist selling their medication. These responses, each given on a 5-point scale, were summed and scores ranged from 2 to 10, with 10 indicating the highest level of self-efficacy.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
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|---|---|---|
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Self-efficacy to Resist Prescription Stimulant Diversion
3-month follow-up
|
9.49 score on a scale
Standard Deviation .99
|
9.65 score on a scale
Standard Deviation .84
|
|
Self-efficacy to Resist Prescription Stimulant Diversion
6-month follow-up
|
9.46 score on a scale
Standard Deviation .84
|
9.69 score on a scale
Standard Deviation .78
|
SECONDARY outcome
Timeframe: 3- and 6-monthsPopulation: Since not all participants had to turn down requests for their medication, the number of participants below will be smaller than the total.
At the 3- and 6-month follow up, participants were asked to describe, through an open-ended response, how they responded if they were approached to give away, sell, or trade their medication since the last assessment. The data provided below is the count of participants who provided an open-ended response.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
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|---|---|---|
|
Resistance Strategy Use
6-month follow-up
|
21 Participants
|
22 Participants
|
|
Resistance Strategy Use
3-month follow-up
|
26 Participants
|
26 Participants
|
SECONDARY outcome
Timeframe: baseline, 3-monthsPopulation: Number of participants analyzed reflects the available records at each time point (baseline, 3 months) and may be less than the overall number of participants analyzed.
Participants will indicate, on a scale from 0-100, the percentage of students they believe give away, sell, or trade their prescribed stimulant medication.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
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|---|---|---|
|
Perceived Behavioral Norms for Prescription Stimulant Diversion
Baseline
|
32.7 observed percentage of students
Standard Deviation 20.8
|
33.5 observed percentage of students
Standard Deviation 20.0
|
|
Perceived Behavioral Norms for Prescription Stimulant Diversion
3 months
|
27.6 observed percentage of students
Standard Deviation 13.1
|
27.2 observed percentage of students
Standard Deviation 15.2
|
SECONDARY outcome
Timeframe: baseline, 3-monthsPopulation: Number of participants analyzed reflects the available records at each time point (baseline, 3 months) and may be less than the overall number of participants analyzed.
Participants will indicate, on a scale from 0-100, the percentage of students they believe use stimulant medication in a way it was not prescribed.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Perceived Behavioral Norms for Prescription Stimulant Misuse
Baseline
|
39.7 observed percentage of students
Standard Deviation 22.2
|
41.1 observed percentage of students
Standard Deviation 23.6
|
|
Perceived Behavioral Norms for Prescription Stimulant Misuse
3 months
|
29.9 observed percentage of students
Standard Deviation 16.5
|
33.8 observed percentage of students
Standard Deviation 18.3
|
SECONDARY outcome
Timeframe: baseline, 3-monthsPopulation: Number of participants analyzed reflects the available records at each time point (baseline, 3 months) and may be less than the overall number of participants analyzed.
We will assess perceived legal risks associated with prescription stimulant diversion. We will assess perceived harm from non-medical prescription stimulant use and medical misuse by asking: "How much do people risk harming themselves (physically or in other ways) if they "take stimulants non-medically?" or "use their prescription in a way a prescriber did not intend? Scores ranged from 5 to 20, with higher scores indicating greater perceived risk (better outcome).
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Perceived Risks From Prescription Stimulant Diversion and Misuse
Baseline
|
17.1 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.3
|
16.6 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.8
|
|
Perceived Risks From Prescription Stimulant Diversion and Misuse
3 months
|
18.0 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.6
|
17.1 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.9
|
SECONDARY outcome
Timeframe: baseline, 3-months, 6-monthsPopulation: Participant totals are lower at 3- and 6-month follow-ups due to attrition and some technical difficulties with data collection.
Number of times participants communicated with their prescriber regarding their adherence to their prescription and any concerns they have regarding the dose, frequency of administration, and/or side effects in past 90 days. Responses ranged from 0 to 8, with higher scores denoting more communication with a prescriber (better outcome). (Investigator-generated scale)
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Communication With Prescriber
3-month follow-up
|
.88 number of contacts with prescriber
Standard Deviation 1.23
|
.64 number of contacts with prescriber
Standard Deviation .96
|
|
Communication With Prescriber
6-month follow-up
|
.77 number of contacts with prescriber
Standard Deviation 1.17
|
.58 number of contacts with prescriber
Standard Deviation 1.02
|
OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome
Timeframe: 6-monthsPopulation: Participant total at 6-months is lower due to attrition.
Participants will note whether they experienced any accidental injuries in the prior 6 months (e.g., car accidents, burns, etc.).
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Accidental Injuries
|
1.24 mean number of accidental injuries
Standard Deviation 1.38
|
1.19 mean number of accidental injuries
Standard Deviation 1.39
|
OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome
Timeframe: baseline, 3-months, 6-monthsPopulation: Participant totals at 3- and 6-months are lower due to attrition.
Participants will report any occasions of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, or hallucinogen use, or other prescription drug misuse in the previous 90 days.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Other Substance Use
3-months
|
9.51 mean number of total substance use days
Standard Deviation 21.17
|
7.21 mean number of total substance use days
Standard Deviation 20.15
|
|
Other Substance Use
6-months
|
13.61 mean number of total substance use days
Standard Deviation 25.56
|
6.92 mean number of total substance use days
Standard Deviation 19.68
|
OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome
Timeframe: baseline, 3-months, 6-monthsPopulation: Participant total at 6-month follow-up is lower due to attrition.
Using the Impairment Rating Scale, participants reported on the extent to which they experienced problems in social, academic, familial, and vocational circumstances. Responses options ranged from 1=not at all to 7=extreme problem and were averaged to yield an overall impairment score (Range 1-6.25). A lower score indicates less impairment (better outcome), whereas a higher score indicates more impairment (poorer outcome).
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-related Impairment
3-month follow-up
|
2.68 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.24
|
2.25 score on a scale
Standard Deviation .96
|
|
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-related Impairment
6-month follow-up
|
2.65 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.17
|
2.51 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.10
|
OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome
Timeframe: baselineParticipants reported on the frequency with which they engaged in 11 problem behaviors before age 18 (0=never, 1=once, 2=twice, 3=three times, 4=more than three times). This scale was adapted from Johnson (1995). Consistent with Garnier (2008), we counted less severe items (e.g., lied, broke rules) as a "1" when rated at least a four. More severe items (e.g., hurt another physically, used a weapon, set a fire) had to occur \>2 times to be counted towards the total score. The minimum score was a 0, the maximum an 11.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=113 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Conduct Problems
|
2.41 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.35
|
2.51 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.67
|
POST_HOC outcome
Timeframe: baseline, 3-months, 6-monthsPopulation: Subsample of participants who completed the 3- and/or 6-month follow-up assessment.
Used prescription stimulant medication through alternative routes of administration, took more than their recommended dose of a prescription stimulant, took someone else's stimulant medication, took their stimulant with other drugs in order to experience intoxicating effects, or intentionally got high on their prescribed stimulant medication at least once in the past 3 months
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=91 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=110 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Number of Participants Who Misused Prescribed Stimulant Medication One or More Times in the Past 3-months
3-months
|
28 participants
|
23 participants
|
|
Number of Participants Who Misused Prescribed Stimulant Medication One or More Times in the Past 3-months
6-months
|
26 participants
|
13 participants
|
POST_HOC outcome
Timeframe: baseline, 3-months, 6-monthsPopulation: Participants who completed the 3- or 6-month follow-up assessments.
Gave away, sold, or traded one's stimulant medication at least once in the past 3 months.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=91 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=110 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Number of Participants Who Diverted Prescribed Stimulant Medication One or More Times in the Past 3-months
3-months
|
10 Participants
|
7 Participants
|
|
Number of Participants Who Diverted Prescribed Stimulant Medication One or More Times in the Past 3-months
6-months
|
9 Participants
|
5 Participants
|
POST_HOC outcome
Timeframe: 6 monthsPopulation: Participants who completed the 3- and/or 6-month follow-up assessments.
Gave away, sold, or traded one's stimulant medication at least once in the 6-month study period.
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=90 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=110 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Proportion of Participants Who Had Any Prescription Stimulant Diversion During the 6-month Study Period
|
.18 proportion of participants
|
.05 proportion of participants
|
POST_HOC outcome
Timeframe: 6 monthsUsed prescription stimulant medication through alternative routes of administration, took more than their recommended dose of a prescription stimulant, took someone else's stimulant medication, took their stimulant with other drugs in order to experience intoxicating effects, or intentionally got high on their prescribed stimulant medication at least once during the 6-month study period
Outcome measures
| Measure |
Placebo Condition
n=90 Participants
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=110 Participants
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Proportion of Participants Who Had Any Prescription Stimulant Medical Misuse During the 6-month Study Period
|
.44 proportion of participants
|
.24 proportion of participants
|
Adverse Events
Web-based Simulation Intervention
Placebo Condition
Serious adverse events
| Measure |
Web-based Simulation Intervention
n=122 participants at risk
Participants in this condition will receive psychoeducation about stimulant medication diversion, stimulant medication misuse, and will practice navigating and resisting requests for their medication with a virtual human.
Web-based simulation active intervention: This intervention engages students in interactive discussions with virtual humans to (a) learn about the actual prevalence of NMUPS and diversion and their related risks, (b) practice using refusal strategies when approached for their medication in high-risk situations, and (c) understand how to effectively communicate with prescribers and avoid medication misuse.
|
Placebo Condition
n=113 participants at risk
Participants in this condition will learn about psychological conditions that affect college students most often (e.g., depression), causes of those conditions, and pharmacological/behavioral treatments for those conditions.
Web-based placebo presentation: This presentation will discuss the prevalence of psychological disorders in college students, their etiologies, psychiatric medications, and students' personal experiences navigating college with a diagnosis of an anxiety and learning disorder, respectively. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stimulant medications will be addressed, but diversion and medication misuse will not be discussed.
|
|---|---|---|
|
Social circumstances
Adverse Event #1
|
0.00%
0/122 • 6 months
|
0.88%
1/113 • Number of events 1 • 6 months
|
|
Social circumstances
Adverse Event #2
|
0.00%
0/122 • 6 months
|
0.88%
1/113 • Number of events 1 • 6 months
|
Other adverse events
Adverse event data not reported
Additional Information
Results disclosure agreements
- Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
- Publication restrictions are in place