ClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT07740395Project CloserUpdated Aug 19, 2026

Connecting Loved Ones to Support and Empowering Recovery

An interventional study of KulaMind-Recovery in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and mHealth, sponsored by Rhode Island Hospital. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-19.

Sponsored by Rhode Island Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Jul 2026; still recruiting 3 months later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
60
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Substance use disorders are highly prevalent. However, recovery from them is possible. The recovery process can benefit greatly from support from loved ones. Loved ones may need guidance in the most helpful ways to support recovery. This study aims to refine and test a web-based intervention, known as KulaMind-Recovery, which offers online skill building and educational modules, one-on-one video sessions and "on-demand" text-based support from a coach, and access to a community forum to connect with others with shared experience.

Read the detailed description

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are one of the most prevalent chronic behavioral health issues in the United States and are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. However, there is a high rate of recovery from SUDs. The loved ones of those in recovery can be an important source of support. Unfortunately, relationships are often strained by the chronic relapsing and remitting nature of SUDs, and SUD-related stigma may impede support from loved ones. Efforts to implement evidence-based interventions for loved ones have been hampered by a number of factors, including required specialized training for interventionists and the lengthy nature of the interventions. Efficacious and scalable interventions are therefore needed to guide the loved ones of those in recovery in evidence-based approaches to support the recovery process. mHealth facilitated interventions could be used to address these barriers, allowing for more efficient use of interventionist time through automation while maintaining "on demand" availability and the human touch that many find helpful. The goal of this project is to refine the KulaMind-Recovery Platform (KM-R), which is an AI-powered online program that aims to improve healthy family/social network behaviors and self- regulation skills of loved ones of those in recovery to strengthen the social support network. In addition to online skill building and educational modules, each loved one is matched with a coach who provides emotional support, accountability, and troubleshooting via group-based video sessions and "on demand" text-based support. Lastly, KM-R includes access to a community forum that allows loved ones to connect with others with shared experience. To accomplish our goal of refining this intervention, we will conduct an open label pilot study with 30 dyads (individual in early recovery and a loved one), in which the loved ones receive access to KM-R for 3 months, to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary signs of efficacy of the intervention.

02

Conditions studied

  • Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
  • mHealth

Keywords

  • Recovery
  • Loved Ones
  • Addiction
  • Substance Use
03

In context

Substance-Related Disorders

2,238 studies on the registry are indexed under Substance-Related Disorders; 409 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 60 is below the median of 108 across 1,840 interventional studies indexed under Substance-Related Disorders.

Browse Substance-Related Disorders studies →

Lead sponsor

Rhode Island Hospital is the lead sponsor of 191 studies on the registry; 36 are open to participants now.

Of its 12 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 2 (17%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria for Individuals in Recovery:

  • 18+
  • have met criteria for a substance use disorder (with or without concomitant alcohol use disorder) in the past 24 months
  • have taken steps in the past 12 months to quit using drugs, cut down on drug use, or change the way in which they use drugs in order to improve the quality of their lives
  • willing to nominate a loved one to receive KulaMind-Recovery
  • have a loved one who is willing to participate in the study
  • able to understand and speak English and provide written and verbal consent

Inclusion Criteria for Loved Ones:

  • 18+
  • have a sustained relationship with the individual in recovery and are perceived to be an important person in the individual in recovery's life
  • do not provide professional substance use disorder-related services to the individual in recovery
  • have regular access to a device to engaged with KulaMind-Recovery
  • able to understand and speak English and provide written and verbal
  • do not endorse current (past month) suicidality
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
60 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • No intervention
    Individuals in Recovery
  • Experimental
    Loved Ones

    Behavioral: KulaMind-Recovery

Interventions

  • BehavioralKulaMind-Recovery

    KulaMind-Recovery (KM-R) is an AI-powered web-based support platform that provides psychoeducation and training in evidenced-based cognitive behavioral skills and family interventions for substance use disorder. Loved ones will be matched with a human coach who will create a custom program of skills, psychoeducation materials, and other interventions. The coach will deliver these assignments through the AI digital tools on the KM-R platform, so loved ones can learn or practice skills at their convenience. For emotional support, accountability, and trouble shooting, coaches provide group video sessions each week. Each loved one will have access to text-based support form their coach, which allows the coach to support skill-building and troubleshooting in real time. Loved ones will also have access to a community forum, hosted on the platform, where they can connect with other loved ones with shared experiences. The community forum is monitored by a trained, live moderator.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Recovery Capital Score measured with the Assessment of Recovery Capital (ARC)

    Recovery capital represents the total collection of resources that an individual possesses which can facilitate addiction recovery. The Assessment of Recovery (ARC) is a psychometrically validated measure of recovery capital, which produces a recovery capital score ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores represent greater recovery capital. This is the primary outcome of individuals in recovery.

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

  2. Substance Use Disorder-Related Stigma measured by the Stigma of Drug Users Scale

    The Stigma of Drug Users Scale will be used to assess Substance Use Disorder-Related Stigma. The Stigma of Drug Users Scale has good internal reliability across different drug classes. Higher scores represent greater substance use disorder-related stigma. This is primary outcome for loved ones.

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

Secondary outcomes

  1. Satisfaction with the Relationship measured with the Relationship Assessment Scale

    The Relationship Assessment Scale will be used to assess satisfaction with the relationship from the perspective of both the individual in recovery and the loved one. Higher scores represent greater relationship satisfaction. This is a secondary outcome for both individuals in recovery and loved ones.

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

  2. Substance use assessed with the Timeline Followback Interview

    The Timeline Followback Interview will be used to assess daily alcohol and drug use. The number of standard drinks consumed and the classes of drugs used each day will be assessed. This is a secondary outcome for individuals in recovery.

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

  3. Knowledge Regarding Substance Use Disorders and their Treatment Assessed with a 20-Item Knowledge Inventory

    To assess knowledge regarding substance use disorder, a 20-item knowledge test consisting of true/false statements will be administered to loved ones. A higher score represents greater substance use disorder knowledge. This is a secondary outcome for loved ones.

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

  4. Self-Efficacy to Support Recovery Measured with the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale

    Self-Efficacy to Support Recovery will be assessed with a modified version of the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale tailored to measure self-efficacy regarding skills addressed in KulaMind-Recovery. Higher scores represent greater self-efficacy to support recovery. This is a secondary outcome for loved ones.

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

Other outcomes

  1. Demographic Information Measured with the PhenX toolkit

    Basic demographic information including age, sex, race, ethnicity, and marital status will be collected to characterize our sample of participants. This is an Other Outcome for individuals in recovery and loved ones

    Time frame: Baseline

  2. Treatment Services Received measured with the Treatment Services Review

    The Treatment Services Review will be used to assess receipt of case management, psychiatric, mutual support, peer recovery coaching, and other treatment services. This is an Other Outcome for individuals in recovery and loved ones

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

  3. Perceived Quality of Life Measured with the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form

    Overall quality of life for individuals in recovery and loved ones will be assessed using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form. Higher scores represent greater perceived quality of life. This is an Other Outcome for individuals in recovery and loved ones

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

  4. Wellbeing measured by the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index

    The World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index will be administered to individuals in recovery and loved ones to assess wellbeing. Higher scores represent greater wellbeing. This is an Other Outcome for individuals in recovery and loved ones

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

  5. Depressive Symptoms measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-2

    The Patient Health Questionnaire-2 will be used to assess depressive symptoms. Higher scores represent greater depressive symptoms. This is an Other Outcome for individuals in recovery and loved ones

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

  6. Anxiety Symptoms measured with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2

    Anxiety symptoms will be assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 questionnaire. Higher scores represent greater anxiety symptoms. This is an Other Outcome for individuals in recovery and loved ones.

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

  7. Perceived Stress measured with the Perceived Stress Scale

    The Perceived Stress Scale will be used to assess perceived stress among participants. Higher scores represent greater levels of perceived stress. This is an Other Outcome for individuals in recovery and loved ones

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

  8. Perceived Social Support measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

    The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support will be used to assess perceived social support among participants. Higher scores represent greater levels of perceived social support. This is an Other Outcome for individuals in recovery and loved ones.

    Time frame: Baseline & 3-Month Follow-up

  9. Lifetime Substance Use Disorder Symptoms measured with Substance Use Symptom Checklist

    The Substance Use Symptom Checklist will be used to assess the prevalence of substance use disorder symptoms within loved ones' lifetimes. This is an Other Outcome for loved ones.

    Time frame: Baseline

  10. Perceived Utility and Impact of the Intervention measured with Utility and Impact Questionnaire

    The Utility and Impact Questionnaire will be used to assess the perceived utility and impact of the KulaMind-Recovery intervention. Higher scores represent greater perceived utility and impact of the intervention. This is an Other Outcome for loved ones.

    Time frame: 3-Month Follow-up

  11. Satisfaction with the Intervention measured with the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire

    The Client Satisfaction Questionnaire will be used to assess satisfaction with the KulaMind-Recovery intervention. Higher scores represent greater satisfaction with the intervention. This is an Other Outcome for loved ones.

    Time frame: 3-Month Follow-up

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 19, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07740395
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jul 31, 2026
Start date
Jul 17, 2026
Primary completion
Jan 8, 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Apr 30, 2027 (estimated)
Last update
Aug 19, 2026

Study contacts

Susan Ramsey, PhD
Contact
sramsey@brownhealth.org
401-444-7831
Evan Ames
Contact
evan.ames@brownhealth.org
401-444-5040
Susan Ramsey
principal investigator · Rhode Island Hospital

Oversight

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

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