Efficacy and Mechanisms of Technology-based Behavioral Interventions

Status unconfirmed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: College Student Drinking

In brief

Large scale surveys indicate that approximately 68% of college students drink alcohol every month and 40% of college students engage in heavy episodic drinking. Despite prevention/intervention efforts, problematic alcohol consumption among college students continues to result in an estimated 1,800 deaths and 600,000 injuries annually, and epidemiological studies demonstrate no appreciable decrease in risk among college students. The purpose of the proposed research is to improve extant college-drinking interventions by advancing the dissemination methodology and the intervention content (Specific Aim 1). As a methodological improvement, rapid advances in mobile computing makes ecological momentary interventions (EMIs) increasingly feasible. EMIs refer to interventions that can be delivered multiple times and "in the moment". EMIs can optimize the timing and location of the intervention while also increasing the dose of the intervention. To improve the intervention content, the researchers will examine protective behavioral strategies (PBS) to reduce alcohol problems, not just alcohol use. PBS are behaviors that one can engage in immediately prior to, during, and immediately following alcohol use that limit alcohol use and/or alcohol-related harm. Research suggests that PBS use can protect individuals from alcohol problems above and beyond its effect on reducing alcohol use. The primary purpose of this research is to provide a more powerful test of a PBS intervention's effects on alcohol-related consequences by using a technology-based intervention methodology (i.e., EMI). Participants will be randomized into to a fully crossed, 3 (Standard BMI, BMI with a PBS component, control) X 2 (PBS-based EMI, Ecological Assessment Only) design. These 6 conditions will answer several critically important research questions (Specific Aim 2): a) does the addition of a PBS component improve the efficacy of a standard BMI, b) does a PBS-based EMI improve efficacy over the standard, single session BMI, c) does the combination of motivation-based intervention (BMI) with a skills-based intervention (EMI) yield even greater decreases in consequences (i.e., moderation). A final purpose of this research is to examine PBS norms, PBS perceived effectiveness, and motivation to change PBS use as novel mediators of the improved interventions. Results can be used to disseminate more effective college drinking interventions that are cheaper and more efficacious.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03510728

Run by

James M. Henson

People needed

600

Starts

2017-11-15

Expected to finish

2022-05-01

Last updated by the study team

2021-03-23

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 25. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Current college students at the sponsor institution at the time of enrollment
• Between the ages of 18 and 25
• Consumed at least standard drink of alcohol in the past 4 weeks

You may not qualify if…

• Under age of 18 or older than 25
• Not a college student
• Did not drink alcohol in the past 4 weeks

Where it is running

• California State University Dominguez Hills — Carson, California, United States (enrolling)
• Colorado State University — Fort Collins, Colorado, United States (enrolling)
• University of New Mexico — Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States (enrolling)
• Old Dominion University — Norfolk, Virginia, United States (enrolling)
• William and Mary — Williamsburg, Virginia, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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