Gain and Loss Framed Text Messaging to Reduce Drinking Among Older Adults

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Alcohol Consumption

In brief

The goal of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of scalable, tailored text- messaging programs for alcohol use among older adults. This study focuses on gain and loss framing of behavior change goals (i.e., the positives of change and the negatives of remaining with the status quo), critical components of behavioral science and health behavioral interventions. Loss-framing is used to motivate individuals to avoid future problems by focusing on the consequences of no change in behavior, and gain-framing is used to facilitate progress by focusing on the benefits of change. The investigators will design and evaluate three text-messaging programs using a randomized controlled trial: (A) Loss-framed messaging (B) Gain-framed messaging; and (C) Combined (loss and gain) messaging among a sample of 150 older adults with hazardous drinking. Participants will be randomized to one of the three conditions, each of which will include 8 weeks of text-messaging. During the study participants will completed assessments online and via text messages to track drinking.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06126107

Run by

Hunter College of City University of New York

People needed

133

Starts

2024-02-26

Expected to finish

2024-12-10

Last updated by the study team

2025-03-13

Who can join

Age: 50 and older, up to 85. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Be fluent in and able to read English at the eighth grade level
• Between the ages 50 and 85
• Have an estimated average weekly consumption of greater than, for women and men 65 and older, 12, or for men 64 and younger, 15 standard drinks per week
• Be willing to reduce their drinking to non-hazardous levels
• Be willing to provide informed consent
• Own a mobile phone with SMS capability and have an active email address.
• Be willing to receive and respond to up to 120 text messages total per month, as well as four online, web- based surveys.

You may not qualify if…

• Demonstrate physiological dependence on alcohol, as evidenced by current or a history of serious physical withdrawal symptoms (e.g., measured by SAWS)
• Present with significant substance use (greater than weekly use) or a current substance use disorder (for any substance other than alcohol, nicotine, or caffeine, measured by self report on Form-90 based questions)
• Present with a serious psychiatric illness or suicide risk, as measured by previous inpatient treatment, medications for mood disorder or psychosis, recent suicidality, and the PHQ-9.
• Unable to understand research study procedures as evidenced by failing a short quiz at the end of reviewing the consent form.

Where it is running

• Hunter College of CUNY — New York, New York, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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