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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02834949

Improving Brief Alcohol Interventions With a Behavioral Economic Supplement

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a Substance-Free Activity Session (SFAS) as a supplement to a brief motivation intervention (BMI) in reducing alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences in college students.

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Key information

Conditions

Alcohol Abuse Alcohol-Related Disorders Alcoholism Chemically-Induced Disorders Mental Disorders Substance-Related Disorders

Age range

18 year–27 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States

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About this study

BMIs are associated with reductions in alcohol consumption and related problems, but effect sizes are generally small. One BMI trial indicated that behavioral economic variables such as low levels of proportionate substance-free reinforcement and inelastic demand for alcohol predicted poor intervention response, and that participants who successfully reduced their drinking increased their participation in academic and other substance-free activities. A subsequent NIAAA R21 developed a substance-free activity session (SFAS) supplement to traditional alcohol BMIs that attempted to increase engagement in constructive alternatives to drinking by enhancing the salience of delayed rewards (academic and career success) and the patterns of behavior (academic engagement) leading to these outcomes. This study indicated that a two session (alcohol BMI + SFAS) preventive intervention resulted in significantly greater reductions in alcohol problems relative to a two session (alcohol BMI + Relaxation) active control condition. The BMI+ SFAS was also associated with significantly greater reductions in heavy drinking for participants with lower levels of substance-free reinforcement at baseline. This was the first controlled study to demonstrate that a supplement to traditional BMIs can improve outcomes. The current study will extend these promising pilot results by (a) increasing the efficacy of the behavioral economic SFAS by including booster contact, (b) increasing power and generalizability by recruiting 425 students from two universities and including a no-treatment control group, (c) measuring drinking, as well as behavioral economic mechanisms as mediators and moderators of intervention outcomes (delay discounting, alcohol reinforcing efficacy, substance-free reinforcement) at 5 time points over a sixteen month period, and (d) evaluating the economic costs and benefits associated with the SFAS. The goals of the SFAS - increasing student engagement in academic, campus, and career-related activities- are consistent with the priorities of most colleges.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Male and female University of Memphis and University of Missouri
  • College freshman or sophomore
  • Full time student status
  • Report 2 or more heavy drinking episodes (5/4 drinks for men/women) in the past month

Exclusion criteria

  • Employed more than 20 hours per week

Treatment and study plan

Brief Motivational Intervention (BMI)

Behavioral

This session includes a discussion related to harm reduction and the student's autonomy to make decisions about the information provided in the session; an alcohol use decisional balance exercise; personalized alcohol-related feedback, and goal-setting. Elements included in the feedback are: (a) comparison of the student's perception of how much college students drink and actual student norms, (b) a comparison of the student's alcohol consumption vs. norms, (c) an estimate of the student's peak blood alcohol content in the past month, (d) alcohol-related problems experienced, (e) money spent on alcohol, and (f) calories consumed from alcohol. Participants discuss the personalized feedback with the clinician and review protective behavioral strategies if he or she indicates interest.

Substance-Free Activity Session (SFAS)

Behavioral

The clinician initiates a discussion of the student's college and career goals. Students discuss the values that motivate them as well as how alcohol use may interfere with their ability to accomplish these goals. Students then receive information on graduation rates and income benefits for those who attend and excel in college. They receive personalized feedback on (a) the requirements for their major and intended career, (b) a list of extracurricular activities tailored to their goals, (c) a graph showing time they allocate to their activities, (d) information on stress and depressive symptoms (if applicable) and possible adaptive coping responses and (e) a list of substance-free recreational activities in which they would like to start or continuing engaging.

Relaxation Session

Behavioral

The session includes a clinician-led diaphragmatic breathing exercise, followed by a progressive muscle relaxation protocol (~30 minutes). At the end of the session, participants will be asked about their reaction to the relaxation techniques and provided with relaxation training handouts.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Alcohol Use from baseline to follow-up (4 timepoints)

    Time frame: Baseline, 1-month, 6-months, 12-months and 16-months

    Self-reported drinks consumed in a typical week

  2. Change in Alcohol-related Problems from baseline to follow-up (4 timepoints)

    Time frame: Baseline, 1-month, 6-months, 12-months and 16-months

    Self-reported alcohol-related consequences

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Memphis

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2017
First posted
Jul 15, 2016
Registry last updated
Oct 26, 2017

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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