~105 spots leftby Jun 2026

Text Messaging Support for HIV

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
CJ
SM
Overseen bySean M Murphy, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Male
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: Friends Research Institute, Inc.
Disqualifiers: HIV negative, Under 18, others
No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Text Me, Alexis! is a three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine the optimal and most cost-effective intervention for advancing trans women living with HIV to full viral suppression. Participants will be randomized (1:1:1) to Peer Health Navigation (PHN) alone, SMS (text messaging) alone, or PHN+SMS. Participants in the PHN alone and PHN+SMS arms will receive unlimited navigation sessions over 3 months. Participants in the SMS alone and PHN+SMS arms will receive 3 daily theory-based text messages for 90 days for a total of 270 unique scripted messages.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on supporting HIV care through text messaging and peer navigation, so it's likely you can continue your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Text Me, Alexis! for HIV?

Research shows that text messaging can help people with HIV stick to their medication schedules and improve their health outcomes. Studies suggest that SMS (short message service) interventions can enhance medication adherence and support better healthcare quality for people living with HIV.12345

Is text messaging support for HIV treatment safe for humans?

The research on text messaging support for HIV treatment, including studies like Connect4Care and others, does not report any safety concerns, suggesting it is generally safe for humans.45678

How does the 'Text Me, Alexis!' treatment for HIV differ from other treatments?

The 'Text Me, Alexis!' treatment is unique because it uses text messaging to support people with HIV, helping them stay engaged in their care and manage their condition. Unlike traditional treatments that focus on medication, this approach leverages technology to provide reminders and encouragement, which can be especially beneficial in urban settings where access to consistent care may be challenging.59101112

Research Team

CJ

Cathy J Reback, PhD

Principal Investigator

Friends Research Institute, Inc.

SM

Sean M Murphy, PhD

Principal Investigator

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for trans women living with HIV/AIDS. Participants should be interested in interventions aimed at achieving full viral suppression. The study excludes individuals who do not meet the inclusion criteria set by the researchers, which are not specified here.

Inclusion Criteria

I identify as a transgender woman.
Verified HIV positive status
Ability to receive daily text messages on either a personal cell phone or via an email account
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.
HIV negative status
Does not have the ability to receive daily text messages on either a personal cell phone or via an email account
See 2 more

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either Peer Health Navigation (PHN), SMS text messaging, or a combination of both for 90 days

12 weeks
Unlimited PHN sessions, daily SMS messages

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment with assessments at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months post-enrollment

18 months
Assessments at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Text Me, Alexis! (Behavioral Intervention)
Trial Overview'Text Me, Alexis!' is a study testing three approaches to help trans women with HIV reach full viral suppression: Peer Health Navigation (PHN), text messaging (SMS), or a combination of both PHN and SMS over three months.
Participant Groups
3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Simple Message System (SMS [text messaging])Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Text messages are scripted across: 1) HIV Care Continuum (HIV Positivity/Physical and Emotional Health, Linkage/Retention in HIV Care, and ART Adherence/Viral Load Suppression); and, 2) theoretical foundation (Social Support Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, or Health Belief Model). Participants receive three daily, theory-based text messages for 90 days (270 unique scripted messages), evenly arrayed across the HIV Care Continuum. Text messages are delivered and transmitted to either a cell phone or an email inbox.
Group II: Peer Health Navigation (PHN)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
PHN is a peer navigation intervention to advance trans women through the HIV Care Continuum by identifying their individual needs and barriers to HIV care, including: substance use and behavioral health needs; adherence goal(s); and methods to achieve adherence. Participants receive unlimited navigation sessions over 3 months; PHN sessions are delivered in a private room similar to a one-on-one peer counseling session.
Group III: PHN and SMSExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
PHN + SMS is the combined intervention. PHN is a peer navigation intervention to advance trans women through the HIV Care Continuum by identifying their individual needs and barriers to HIV care, including: substance use and behavioral health needs; adherence goal(s); and methods to achieve adherence. Participants receive unlimited navigation sessions over 3 months; PHN sessions are delivered in a private room similar to a one-on-one peer counseling session. Text messages are scripted across: 1) HIV Care Continuum (HIV Positivity/Physical and Emotional Health, Linkage/Retention in HIV Care, and ART Adherence/Viral Load Suppression); and, 2) theoretical foundation (Social Support Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, or Health Belief Model). Participants receive three daily, theory-based text messages for 90 days (270 unique scripted messages), evenly arrayed across the HIV Care Continuum. Text messages are delivered and transmitted to either a cell phone or an email inbox.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Friends Research Institute, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials
60
Recruited
22,500+

Dr. Steven Carswell

Friends Research Institute, Inc.

Chief Executive Officer

PhD

Dr. Robert Schwartz

Friends Research Institute, Inc.

Chief Medical Officer since 2023

MD

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Collaborator

Trials
1,103
Recruited
1,157,000+
Dr. Robert Min profile image

Dr. Robert Min

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Chief Executive Officer since 2024

MD, MBA

Dr. Adam R. Stracher profile image

Dr. Adam R. Stracher

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Chief Medical Officer since 2024

MD

Findings from Research

A review of 51 studies highlighted the importance of developing SMS content for mHealth initiatives aimed at supporting HIV/AIDS treatment adherence, emphasizing the need for formative research and grounding messages in behavior change theory.
Best practices for creating effective SMS messages include consulting with experts and using established behavior change frameworks to enhance the effectiveness of mobile health interventions in resource-limited settings.
Content guidance for mobile phones short message service (SMS)-based antiretroviral therapy adherence and appointment reminders: a review of the literature.Kerrigan, A., Kaonga, NN., Tang, AM., et al.[2023]
Mobile phones and SMS technology present a promising opportunity to improve HIV self-management and healthcare outcomes for people living with HIV, transforming the disease into a manageable condition.
An effective SMS-based intervention should focus on interactivity, frequency, timing, and message tailoring to enhance medication adherence and promote positive health behaviors, ultimately leading to better clinical outcomes.
Beyond reminders: a conceptual framework for using short message service to promote prevention and improve healthcare quality and clinical outcomes for people living with HIV.Coomes, CM., Lewis, MA., Uhrig, JD., et al.[2022]
Text messaging interventions significantly improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV, with an odds ratio of 1.39, indicating a notable increase compared to control conditions.
Interventions that are less frequent, allow for two-way communication, include personalized messages, and align with participants' medication schedules are particularly effective, also leading to improved viral load and CD4+ counts.
Text message intervention designs to promote adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART): a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Finitsis, DJ., Pellowski, JA., Johnson, BT.[2022]

References

Content guidance for mobile phones short message service (SMS)-based antiretroviral therapy adherence and appointment reminders: a review of the literature. [2023]
Beyond reminders: a conceptual framework for using short message service to promote prevention and improve healthcare quality and clinical outcomes for people living with HIV. [2022]
Text message intervention designs to promote adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART): a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2022]
Mobile phone text messages for improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART): a protocol for an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised trials. [2022]
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Text Messaging Intervention to Promote Virologic Suppression and Retention in Care in an Urban Safety-Net Human Immunodeficiency Virus Clinic: The Connect4Care Trial. [2022]
Short message service broadcasting to improve the uptake of influenza vaccination in HIV-positive patients at a metropolitan sexual health clinic. [2019]
Feasibility of Assessing Economic and Sexual Risk Behaviors Using Text Message Surveys in African-American Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness and Unemployment: Single-Group Study. [2021]
More than just Reminders: Using text Messaging to Improve HIV care Outcomes Among Youth and Young Adults Living with HIV. [2023]
Promoting sexual health with SMS texting technology. [2018]
Test@Work Texts: Mobile Phone Messaging to Increase Awareness of HIV and HIV Testing in UK Construction Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic. [2020]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Are MSM willing to SMS for HIV prevention? [2022]
Mobile phone text messaging interventions for HIV and other chronic diseases: an overview of systematic reviews and framework for evidence transfer. [2022]