4/4 Our goal is to test evidence-based coping tools in the exact moments they are needed and inform the next generation of mobile health behavior change interventions.
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
@dmh-bsph.bsky.social

3/4 🔹 RCT protocol
Building on the pilot, we are now conducting a fully powered trial to rigorously test these cognitive-behavioral vs. acceptance-based messages, and to understand how context (e.g., location, co-use of alcohol/cannabis) impacts efficacy.
www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e74388

2/4 🔹 Pilot study
We used EMA + geofencing to identify high-risk smoking situations and micro-randomize messages in real time. Participants engaged at high rates, and urge dropped after message delivery. Strong feasibility for a fully powered trial.
mhealth.amegroups.org/article/view...

2/2 She is launching a trial to improve housing stability and health outcomes for women survivors of violence.
Check out the project here: reporter.nih.gov/search/eZwj4...

5/5 Congratulations to the team at Brown led by @janemetrik.bsky.social for this rigorous work. It lays the foundation for the next step: understanding how these interactions play out in the wild.

4/5 We need both the "Bar Lab" and the "Real World" data to paint the full picture for public health.

3/5 In our ongoing National Cannabis Study, www.cannabisandhealth.org/national-can... we are tracking medicinal cannabis patients in the real world to understand how different products, dosages, and consumption methods impact health outcomes over time.

2/5 The study found reduced drinking after smoking THC dominant cannabis in the lab. This is a crucial piece of the puzzle. It will be important to see if these results replicate in observational real-world data.

Targeting maladaptive pain coping may reduce craving & misuse risk.

@cdnordeck.bsky.social @momartelmcgill.bsky.social @drkellydunn.bsky.social

@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @dmh-bsph.bsky.social @hopkinsmedicine.bsky.social

7/ Open access paper: doi.org/10.1186/s128...
Thanks to co-first authors Saud & Michelle, all co-authors, participants, and funding by Ithra Sync.
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
@dmh-bsph.bsky.social

6/ These findings directly inform the next phase:
We are co-developing a digital wellbeing intervention for Saudi adolescents, to be evaluated through a randomized controlled trial.

5/ Stakeholders emphasized the importance of culturally grounded interventions aligned with family and religious values.
Some participants described using faith-based commitments to control use.

4/ The survey included 92 stakeholders:
– Youth, parents, and educators
– Clinicians and policymakers
– Tech professionals, gamers, and digital content creators
The sample was diverse but concentrated in central Saudi regions.

3/ What stakeholders support:
– Strong endorsement for school-based programs and parent-targeted education (each >75% support).
– Also supported: apps to help regulate use.
– Less enthusiasm for regulatory policies or hospital-based interventions.

2/ Key findings:
– 48% of participants reported ≥4 hrs/day of recreational screen time on weekdays (57% on weekends).
– Top concerns: sleep disruption, reduced physical activity, impaired concentration.
– 73% had attempted self-regulation (e.g., app deletion, digital detox).