Avatar Guided Digital Intervention for Suicidal Ideation and Binge Drinking
(EA-Avatar Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a novel digital avatar (virtual coach) support program can help emerging adults ages 18-29 who present to the emergency department with suicidal thoughts and alcohol misuse (EA-Avatar). The study also aims to learn whether people find the program easy to use and whether daily surveys and the study design are able to be completed by the majority of emerging adult participants.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
* Do participants use the digital program and find it helpful?
* Is it possible for participants to complete daily surveys for twenty-eight days and follow-up surveys over twelve weeks?
* Are there early signs that the program may help lower alcohol use and suicidal thoughts?
Researchers will compare participants who receive the new digital avatar program plus supportive text messages to participants who receive a freely available suicide safety planning app to see if there are differences in use, engagement, and early signs of benefit.
Participants will:
* Receive standard care from the emergency department
* Be randomly put into one of two groups (EA-Avatar or a free suicide prevention app)
* Depending on their group, use a new avatar-guided digital support program with text message reminders OR use a free suicide safety planning app
* Complete surveys at the start of the study and again at four, eight, and twelve weeks
* Complete short daily surveys for twenty-eight days
Who Is on the Research Team?
Lourah M Kelly, PhD
Principal Investigator
UMass Chan Medical School, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Participants complete baseline assessments including measures of alcohol use, suicidal ideation, and alcohol-related cognitions and experiences
Intervention
Participants use either the avatar-guided digital intervention with text message support or a suicide safety planning app
Daily Diary Surveys
Participants complete daily surveys to monitor alcohol use and suicidal thoughts
Follow-up
Participants complete follow-up assessments at four, eight, and twelve weeks to evaluate the intervention's acceptability, feasibility, and early efficacy
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- EA-Avatar
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
The avatar-guided digital intervention includes monitoring of alcohol use and triggers of suicidal thoughts, skills to manage alcohol use and suicidal thoughts, resources on how to access outpatient care and crisis hotlines for suicidal thoughts, and achievements for milestones. In addition, text messages with inspirational quotes and reminders to access the avatar platform are used to support engagement and foster hope. They are also given any emergency department care and/or follow-up and referral services they would otherwise receive and can continue any other behavioral health care.
Participants are given information to download a freely available suicide safety planning app. They are also given any emergency department care and/or follow-up and referral services they would otherwise receive and can continue any other behavioral health care.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Massachusetts, Worcester
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Collaborator
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