About the Study
This pilot study aims to use smartphone-based surveys to assess the risks and benefits associated with medicinal and non-medicinal cannabis use among people living with HIV (PLWHIV). Specifically, the investigators aim to determine 1) the feasibility of using smartphone-based surveys to assess cannabis use and associated patient-reported outcomes at the time they occur; 2) if a similar approach can be used to examine differences in patient-reported outcomes with medicinal versus non-medicinal cannabis use.
Background
Between 35-47% of PLWHIV report that they currently use cannabis, with around half of these people saying they use cannabis for medicinal reasons. To date, scientific studies have yet to determine exactly how medicinally beneficial or harmful cannabis may be for PLWHIV. Furthermore, the retrospective, self-reported nature of these studies may blur the line between when cannabis use is medicinal or non-medicinal.
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a tool that allows researchers to assess someones behaviour almost in real time. In CTNPT 037, EMA will involve smartphone-based surveys that participants will complete whenever they use cannabis. The results of this study could have implications on policy around medicinal cannabis use and also help contribute to the design of a mobile health intervention app for PLWHIV who may be at risk of cannabis harms.
Study Approach
The study will recruit 30 participants, who will download an app to their smartphone that contains user-friendly surveys to complete over a 14-day period. The surveys include: a pre-cannabis survey to complete each time they are about to use cannabis to document why they are going to use it; a post-cannabis survey to complete after using cannabis to explain how they used it and the resulting benefits and harms; and daily morning surveys to input information on cannabis use and motives from the previous day. Participants will receive prompts to their phone to remind them to complete each survey.
Participants will also attend a virtual follow-up visit at the end of the 14-day period so they can provide feedback on the user experience of the study, such as the design, clarity, acceptability, and ease of use of the surveys. This information will help improve future EMA survey studies. The participants will also be asked to complete an interview assessing their use of cannabis and other substances over the study period, which will be compared to the data collected through their EMA assessments.
Results
Over a 14-day period, 29 participants living with HIV provided daily diary reports. Out of the 739 events reported in their pre-cannabis surveys, 24% were classified as medicinal use, 30% as recreational use, and approximately 46% as mixed motives. Most participants reported smoking cannabis and using raw cannabis. On average, participants demonstrated full awareness of the THC concentration in the products they used in 30% of instances, and CBD concentration in 23% of instances. People living with HIV who were aware of the cannabinoid concentrations in their cannabis products were less likely to report negative consequences related to cannabis use. Furthermore, participants motivated by non-medical reasons for their cannabis use were more likely to increase their consumption of cannabis products and alcohol compared to those who used cannabis for medical purposes.
Conclusion
The results of this study could inform the evolving policy around building a distinction between medicinal and recreational cannabis use and help contribute to the design of a mobile health intervention app for people living with HIV who may be at risk of cannabis harms.
Eligibility Requirements
Required
- At least 19 years old
- Diagnosed with HIV over a year ago
- Take antiretroviral medication
- Daily cannabis use
- Endorse both medicinal and recreational cannabis use
- Own a compatible smartphone with internet access
- Currently reside in Canada
Not Allowed
- Treatment for cannabis use disorder, alcohol use disorder, or any other substance use disorder
- Actively trying to quit or cut down on cannabis use
- Drink heavily on three or more days per week, on average
- Use drugs (aside from cannabis, alcohol, or nicotine) two or more times a week, on average
- Diagnosed with a severe mental illness
- Medical instability that would interfere with participation (e.g. frequent hospitalization)
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Unable to complete the assessments in English
Investigators
Here’s who is leading this study.
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Email ctninfo@ctnplus.ca.
Participating Sites
York University
- Site Investigator
- Toronto, ON
- Contact Person
- contact@email.com
- 1 (604) 555-9999
- Site Investigator
-
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City Name, BC V3M 9J3
- Contact Person
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- 1 (604) 555-9999
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12345 Street Name,
City Name, BC V3M 9J3
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- 1 (604) 555-9999
- Site Investigator
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12345 Street Name,
City Name, BC V3M 9J3
- Contact Person
- contact@email.com
- 1 (604) 555-9999
- Site Investigator
-
12345 Street Name,
City Name, BC V3M 9J3
- Contact Person
- contact@email.com
- 1 (604) 555-9999
- Site Investigator
-
12345 Street Name,
City Name, BC V3M 9J3
- Contact Person
- contact@email.com
- 1 (604) 555-9999
- Site Investigator
-
12345 Street Name,
City Name, BC V3M 9J3
- Contact Person
- contact@email.com
- 1 (604) 555-9999
- Site Investigator
-
12345 Street Name,
City Name, BC V3M 9J3
- Contact Person
- contact@email.com
- 1 (604) 555-9999
- Site Investigator
-
12345 Street Name,
City Name, BC V3M 9J3
- Contact Person
- contact@email.com
- 1 (604) 555-9999
- Site Investigator
-
12345 Street Name,
City Name, BC V3M 9J3
- Contact Person
- contact@email.com
- 1 (604) 555-9999
- Site Investigator
-
12345 Street Name,
City Name, BC V3M 9J3
- Contact Person
- contact@email.com
- 1 (604) 555-9999
- Site Investigator
-
12345 Street Name,
City Name, BC V3M 9J3
- Contact Person
- contact@email.com
- 1 (604) 555-9999
- Site Investigator
-
12345 Street Name,
City Name, BC V3M 9J3
- Contact Person
- contact@email.com
- 1 (604) 555-9999