406 Participants Needed

Computer-based Intervention for Adolescent Alcohol Abuse

(ASPIRE Trial)

Recruiting at 2 trial locations
SK
LA
LA
Overseen ByLydia A Shrier, MD, MPH
Age: < 18
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Boston Children's Hospital
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Our goal is to conduct a large multi-site randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a promising computer-facilitated Screening and clinician Brief Intervention (cSBI) system designed for delivery by pediatric primary care clinicians and aimed at reducing unhealthy alcohol use and related riding/driving safety risk among adolescent patients. Our setting will be the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS) national primary care research network, with \>600 U.S. primary care practices having participated in recent studies. This trial addresses the evidence gap identified in the latest U.S. Preventive Services Task Force review of alcohol screening and brief counseling interventions among adolescents, and, if shown effective, the cSBI system could be widely disseminated via AAP's existing education, teaching, and advocacy platforms to its 67,000 pediatrician members, thereby greatly increasing the potential for population-level impact of alcohol screening and brief intervention for U.S. adolescents.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Computer-facilitated Screening and Brief Intervention (cSBI) for adolescent alcohol abuse?

Research shows that computer-based programs can effectively increase motivation and reduce alcohol-related harm by building skills. A study found that a similar computer-facilitated intervention reduced heavy drinking among U.S. adolescents, indicating potential effectiveness for this treatment.12345

Is the computer-based intervention for adolescent alcohol abuse safe for humans?

There is no specific safety data available for the computer-based intervention for adolescent alcohol abuse, but general safety monitoring practices in social and behavioral trials have increased, focusing on participant safety.678910

How is the Computer-facilitated Screening and Brief Intervention (cSBI) treatment different from other treatments for adolescent alcohol abuse?

The Computer-facilitated Screening and Brief Intervention (cSBI) is unique because it uses computer technology to deliver interventions, making it more accessible and engaging for adolescents who are comfortable with digital platforms. This approach can enhance motivation and reduce alcohol-related harm by providing personalized feedback and skill-building exercises, which may be more cost-effective and easier to implement than traditional face-to-face interventions.1231112

Research Team

LA

Lydia A. Shrier, MD

Principal Investigator

Boston Children's Hospital

SK

Sion K Harris, PhD

Principal Investigator

Boston Children's Hospital

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for teens aged 14-17 who have used alcohol in the past year or ridden with an impaired driver. They must be going for a check-up, able to complete activities before their visit, and willing to share their cell phone number. Teens already in substance use treatment, with communication barriers, or certain medical/emotional issues can't join.

Inclusion Criteria

Presenting for well-visit with participating clinician
Has own cell phone and is willing to share cell phone number before their scheduled visit
I am between 14 and 17 years old.
See 3 more

Exclusion Criteria

Unable to read and communicate in English
Youth in foster care
I cannot commit to attending all follow-up visits.
See 2 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks
1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants receive computer-facilitated Screening and Brief Intervention (cSBI) during well-visits

1 visit
1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for heavy episodic drinking and riding/driving risks

12 months
Periodic surveys

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Computer-facilitated Screening and Brief Intervention
Trial OverviewThe study tests a computer-assisted system that helps doctors talk to teens about alcohol use and safe riding/driving practices during regular check-ups. It's part of a large trial across many U.S. clinics aiming to reduce teen alcohol abuse and improve safety on the roads.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Computer-facilitated screening and brief interventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Clinicians randomized to this arm will receive training in delivery of cSBI and their participating patients will then receive the experimental intervention.
Group II: Usual CareActive Control1 Intervention
Clinicians randomized to this arm will not receive training in delivery of cSBI until study completion, and their participating patients will receive usual care.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Boston Children's Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials
801
Recruited
5,584,000+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials
865
Recruited
1,091,000+

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Collaborator

Trials
749
Recruited
11,400,000+

American Academy of Pediatrics

Collaborator

Trials
46
Recruited
4,071,000+

Findings from Research

Computer-based tools for diagnosing and treating alcohol-related problems can improve accessibility and cost-effectiveness in clinical settings, making it easier for healthcare providers to implement these interventions.
Some computer-based programs have been shown to effectively motivate patients and reduce alcohol-related harm by teaching essential skills, highlighting their potential as valuable alternatives to traditional face-to-face treatments.
Computer-based tools for diagnosis and treatment of alcohol problems.Hester, RK., Miller, JH.[2020]
Recent studies on computer-based programs for preventing substance use among youth show mixed results, with many suffering from high dropout rates, which affects the reliability of their findings.
The most effective programs are those specifically designed for targeted youth populations, but there is a lack of such tailored interventions, indicating a need for more customized approaches in future research.
Computer-Based Prevention and Intervention to Reduce Substance Use in Youth.Schinke, S., Schwinn, TM.[2022]
Computer-based drinking assessment and intervention programs have been evaluated in the general public, revealing that users are typically young males in their early 30s who are at risk for alcohol-related issues.
While dropout rates from these online interventions are high, those who complete the programs generally show improvements in their drinking behaviors, indicating potential efficacy for those who engage fully.
A review of computer-based alcohol problem services designed for the general public.Vernon, ML.[2022]

References

Computer-based tools for diagnosis and treatment of alcohol problems. [2020]
Computer-Based Prevention and Intervention to Reduce Substance Use in Youth. [2022]
A review of computer-based alcohol problem services designed for the general public. [2022]
Computer-Facilitated Screening and Brief Advice to Reduce Adolescents' Heavy Episodic Drinking: A Study in Two Countries. [2019]
Feasibility of emergency department bilingual computerized alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment. [2015]
Adverse drug event detection in a community hospital utilising computerised medication and laboratory data. [2018]
Putting the pieces together: using "off-the-shelf" software to safely transfer medical data. [2017]
Safety methodology in pediatric psychopharmacology trials. [2013]
Data and safety monitoring in social behavioral intervention trials: the REACH II experience. [2022]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Development of an online morbidity, mortality, and near-miss reporting system to identify patterns of adverse events in surgical patients. [2022]
Effectiveness of a web-based brief alcohol intervention and added value of normative feedback in reducing underage drinking: a randomized controlled trial. [2021]
12.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Application of interactive, computer technology to adolescent substance abuse prevention and treatment. [2008]