CClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT07044531Updated Sep 29, 2026

DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL PEER RECOVERY SUPPORTER TRAINING PLATFORM

An interventional study of Training-as-Usual (TAU) and TDPP-A (Asynchronous Platform) in Substance Use Disorders, Alcohol Use Disorders and Recovery Support Services, sponsored by Thrive Digital Health, LLC. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-29.

Sponsored by Thrive Digital Health, LLC · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
450
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study tests an online training platform for peer recovery support specialists, people in recovery who support others with alcohol and other substance use problems. It compares the platform with standard live training on core peer recovery skills, rated by trained raters from a recorded interview, and on knowledge, usability, and intention to use the platform. Training conditions were first recruited separately. Since an IRB-approved change in August 2026, new participants are randomly assigned to either hybrid platform training or standard live training. A self-paced platform group and a Maryland group that used a version of the platform localized for that state are reported as non-randomized comparison groups. The study is Phase II of an SBIR Fast-Track award from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Read the detailed description

Peer recovery support specialists (PRSS) are people with lived experience of recovery who provide non-clinical support to others with alcohol and other substance use disorders. This study evaluates the Thrive Digital Peer Platform (TDPP), an online training platform for PRSS. It is Phase II of an SBIR Fast-Track award from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R44AA030953). The Phase I pilot is registered separately as NCT07090590.

Training conditions. (1) Training as usual (TAU): the standard live, instructor-led CCAR course. (2) TDPP-A: the self-paced platform modules only. (3) TDPP-Z (hybrid): the self-paced modules plus an interactive roleplay practice component and recorded instructor video. (4) Maryland localization cohort (Aim 3): the self-paced content localized for a second state, delivered to prospective PRSS in Maryland in June and July 2026.

Allocation. The study was designed as a randomized trial. Randomized assignment was not feasible in practice, and enrollment from May 2025 through August 2026 proceeded by condition, with recruitment conducted separately for each condition. Under a protocol amendment approved by the IRB on August 21, 2026, all remaining participants are assigned at the point of consent by simple individual-level randomization, with equal allocation, to TDPP-Z or TAU. The assignment is generated automatically by the study system and logged, and outreach staff are blinded to upcoming assignments. Recruitment into TDPP-A is complete. TDPP-A and the Maryland cohort were recruited as groups and are non-randomized comparison groups. The statistical analysis plan, to be finalized before database lock, will specify how participants enrolled before the amendment are handled alongside randomized participants. The first three participants to complete the hybrid condition were pilot participants used to establish that condition's procedures.

Change to the hybrid condition. The original hybrid condition included three live videoconference sessions. They were removed in August 2026 because participants did not reliably attend them, and the condition now uses recorded instructor video and interactive roleplay practice with the same core content.

Outcomes. The primary outcome is skill and adherence on a recorded post-training behavioral interview, scored by trained raters blinded to condition using a modified Yale Adherence and Competence Scale II (YACS-II). Secondary outcomes are knowledge before and after training, usability (System Usability Scale), and intention to use the platform (modified UTAUT-2). Satisfaction and exit-interview feedback are also collected.

02

Conditions studied

  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Alcohol Use Disorders
  • Recovery Support Services
  • Peer Recovery Coaching

Keywords

  • Peer Recovery Support Services
  • Peer Recovery Coaching
  • Alcohol Use Disorders
  • Substance Use Disorders
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: Eligible participants will be prospective PRSS providers residing in the U.S., ages 18 and over, with at least one year of continuous sobriety.

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Exclusion Criteria: We will exclude individuals with eligibility questionnaire responses indicating: (a) an inability to read or speak English; (b) active suicidal ideation (PHQ-9, Item 9); (c) severe anxiety (GAD-7 >15); (d) significant medical illnesses, and; (e) unable to complete the baseline assessment or unavailable for computer and telephone follow-ups over the approximately ten month study period.

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04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
450 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Training as Usual

    Participants complete the standard live, instructor-led Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) training course. There are no digital platform modules. Participants enrolled before August 21, 2026 were recruited directly into this condition. From that date, participants are assigned to this condition by randomization, 1:1 with TDPP-Z.

    Behavioral: Training-as-Usual (TAU)

  • Experimental
    TDPP-A (Asynchronous Only)

    Participants complete the Thrive Digital Peer Platform (TDPP) in a fully self-paced format: 11 interactive modules using the Connect, Grow, Apply model, with peer-led stories and scenario-based exercises. There is no live facilitation. Participants were recruited directly into this condition from May to July 2025. Recruitment is complete. This is a non-randomized comparison group.

    Behavioral: TDPP-A (Asynchronous Platform)

  • Experimental
    TDPP-Z (Hybrid)

    Participants complete the self-paced TDPP modules plus an interactive roleplay practice component and recorded instructor video. The three live videoconference sessions in the original design were removed in August 2026. Participants enrolled before August 21, 2026 were recruited directly into this condition, and the first three completers were pilot participants. From that date, participants are assigned to this condition by randomization, 1:1 with TAU.

    Behavioral: TDPP-Z (Hybrid)

  • Experimental
    Maryland Localization Cohort (Aim 3)

    Prospective peer recovery support specialists in Maryland complete the self-paced TDPP content localized for Maryland, with the same assessments as the other conditions, in June and July 2026 (Aim 3). Recruited as a single group. This is a descriptive, non-randomized comparison cohort.

    Behavioral: Localized TDPP (Maryland)

Interventions

  • BehavioralTraining-as-Usual (TAU)

    Standard live, instructor-led training course from the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR), with no digital platform modules.

  • BehavioralTDPP-A (Asynchronous Platform)

    Participants engage with the Thrive Digital Peer Platform (TDPP), a fully asynchronous, self-paced online training program. The content includes 11 interactive modules structured using the Connect → Grow → Apply (CGA) learning framework, featuring peer stories, behavioral exercises, and scenario-based assessments.

  • BehavioralTDPP-Z (Hybrid)

    The self-paced TDPP modules plus an interactive roleplay practice component and recorded instructor video. This replaced three live, facilitator-led videoconference sessions in August 2026.

  • BehavioralLocalized TDPP (Maryland)

    The self-paced TDPP content localized for Maryland peer recovery support specialists.

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Skill and Adherence Score, Modified Yale Adherence and Competence Scale II (YACS-II)

    Recorded post-training behavioral interview using standardized peer recovery scenarios, scored by two trained raters blinded to training condition using the Yale Adherence and Competence Scale II modified for peer recovery support. Adherence (frequency and extensiveness) and skill level are each rated from 1 to 7, and the raters' scores are averaged. Higher scores mean better adherence and skill.

    Time frame: Post-intervention (within 2 weeks of training completion)

Secondary outcomes

  1. System Usability Scale (SUS) Score

    Self-reported usability on the 10-item System Usability Scale, scored by the standard method on a 0 to 100 scale. Higher scores mean better usability. Completed by participants in the platform conditions.

    Time frame: Immediately post-training

  2. Knowledge Test Score, Change From Baseline

    10-item multiple-choice test on core principles of professionalism in peer recovery coaching, given before and after training. Scores range from 0 to 10. Higher scores mean more knowledge.

    Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately post-training

  3. Intention to Use, Modified UTAUT-2 Behavioral Intention

    Behavioral intention (intention to use the platform) items from a modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT-2) questionnaire, each rated from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) and averaged. Higher scores mean greater intention to use. Completed by participants in the platform conditions.

    Time frame: Immediately post-training

Other outcomes

  1. Self-Reported Satisfaction

    Participant-reported satisfaction with the training experience, assessed via a Likert-scale item ("How satisfied were you with the training experience overall?"). Scores range from 1 (not satisfied) to 5 (very satisfied).

    Time frame: Immediately post-training

  2. Qualitative Feedback (Open-Ended Exit Interview)

    Participant reflections on their training experience, collected through a structured exit interview or open-text response field. Thematic content analysis will be used to identify emergent themes related to learning impact, perceived professionalism, and platform usability.

    Time frame: Immediately post-training

06

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Thrive Digital Health
    Solon, Ohio 44139, United States
    Recruiting
07

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07044531
Lead sponsor
Thrive Digital Health, LLC
Collaborators
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jul 1, 2025
Start date
May 7, 2025
Primary completion
Feb 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Mar 2027 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 29, 2026

Study contacts

Christopher Pesce, JD/MBA
Contact
cpesce@thrivedigitalhealth.us
617-784-8715
Christopher Pesce, JD/MBA
principal investigator · Thrive Digital Health, LLC

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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