Evaluation of real-world outcomes associated with use of a prescription digital therapeutic to treat substance use disorders

Digital therapeutics can expand the reach and fidelity of behavioral treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). This analysis evaluated real-world engagement and clinical outcomes in patients diagnosed with SUD who were prescribed reSET®, an FDA-authorized prescription digital therapeutic (PDT).

Patients were prescribed a 12-week PDT comprising 61 therapy lessons (31 “core” and 30 “keep learning” lessons) and contingency management rewards (positive reinforcement message or monetary gift cards) based on lesson completion and negative urine drug screens. Engagement (defined as any activity in the PDT), retention (any activity in Weeks 9–12), and substance use data were collected automatically by the PDT and analyzed descriptively. Associations between early lesson completion and end-of-treatment outcomes were assessed.

Patients with SUD exhibited robust engagement with a PDT, high rates of retention through 12 weeks, and substantial rates of abstinence at end of treatment when the therapeutic was used in a real-world setting. PDT's hold promise as a new way to access effective SUD treatment.

This study is the first to report real-world PDT engagement and clinical outcomes data from a large, geographically diverse population of patients with SUDs.