Motivational Interviewing for Alcohol Consumption

(PEER Trial)

Overseen By Karen Hudson, MCR

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Rhode Island

Must not be taking: Antipsychotics, Neuroleptics

Disqualifiers: Left-handed, Brain injury, Neurological disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

248 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore how participating in a health program with a friend can affect young adults' brains and behaviors, particularly concerning alcohol consumption. Participants will engage in motivational interviewing, a guided conversation designed to encourage positive behavior change. The study includes a brain scan (fMRI) to observe changes during activities over time. Ideal candidates for this trial are young adults who can attend follow-up sessions and have no history of brain injuries or neurological conditions. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding social influences on health behaviors.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but if you are taking medications for neurological or neurodevelopmental disorders, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that this method is safe?

Studies have shown that motivational interviewing is generally safe and well-tolerated. For example, research indicates that when nurses use motivational interviewing with university students, it helps reduce alcohol consumption without causing harm. Another study found that a short motivational session in an emergency room led to positive changes in drinking habits, suggesting the technique is safe in that setting as well. Overall, motivational interviewing is considered a low-risk approach, focusing on conversation and support rather than medication. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Motivational Interviewing (MI) for alcohol consumption because it offers a different approach compared to traditional methods like medication and behavioral therapy. Unlike many treatments that focus on direct intervention, MI is a counseling style that enhances an individual's motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. This method is collaborative and person-centered, empowering individuals to take charge of their own change process. Its unique emphasis on motivation rather than directive advice makes MI a promising option for those who may not respond well to conventional treatments.

What evidence suggests that Motivational Interviewing might be an effective treatment for alcohol consumption?

Research has shown that Motivational Interviewing (MI), which participants in this trial will receive, can help reduce alcohol consumption. Studies have found that MI is particularly effective for college students who drink heavily. In one study, a short MI session led to fewer days of heavy drinking and fewer alcohol-related issues. Another study found that MI was more effective than simply providing health advice in reducing risky drinking. Overall, MI appears to be a promising method for managing alcohol use. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Francesca Filbey, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Texas

Sarah W. Feldstein Ewing, PhD

Principal Investigator

UConn Health

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults within a specific age range who consume alcohol. They must agree to be contacted for follow-ups at 3, 6, and 12 months after the initial 'Participation Day' and provide fully informed consent.

Inclusion Criteria

I am within the required age range for the trial.

You must agree to the terms of informed consent.

I agree to follow-up contacts at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Participation Day

Eligible youth and their peers complete questionnaires, a short health program, and undergo a brain scan (fMRI) while completing activities

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for health behaviors over time with follow-ups at 3, 6, and 12 months

12 months

3 visits (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Motivational Interviewing

Trial Overview The study tests how participating in a health program with a peer affects brain activity and behavior related to alcohol use over time. Participants will answer questionnaires, attend a health program with their peer, and have an fMRI brain scan.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Motivational Interviewing (MI) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Rhode Island

Lead Sponsor

Trials

57

Recruited

22,400+

UConn Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

218

Recruited

59,100+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Recruited

1,091,000+

University of Texas

Collaborator

Trials

193

Recruited

143,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3383096/

Effect of Motivational Interviewing on Reduction of Alcohol ... Among college students, several studies have shown the effectiveness of MI in the reduction of drinking (Deas, 2008), particularly heavy drinking (Juarez et al.

2. case.edu case.edu/socialwork/centerforebp/sites/default/files/2024-11/MI%20and%20MET%20for%20AUD%20Full%20Report-09242024-upd-11-15-2024.pdf

Motivational interviewing and motivational enhancement ... Three studies yielded mixed but promising results on the effectiveness of motivational interventions for reducing alcohol use. Dieperink et ...

3. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2797548

Effect of a Novel Brief Motivational Intervention for Alcohol ... Our hypothesis was that participants receiving brief MI would reduce their number of heavy drinking days (HDD) and alcohol-related problems more ...

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/19/1970

Effectiveness of a Motivational Interviewing-Based ... Our results show that the MI-based intervention was more effective than the health advice in decreasing the percentage of patients with risky alcohol use.

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772724624000970

The influence of age on brief motivational intervention for ... This exploratory study shows that BMI was associated with significantly better 12-month alcohol outcomes among patients aged 22-29 years.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6457858/

Motivational interviewing for the prevention of alcohol misuse ... Motivational interviewing (MI) is a technique to address excessive drinking, but the review found no substantive benefits for preventing alcohol misuse in ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0260691723000692

Training nursing students in motivational interviewing for ... Motivational interviewing led by nurses has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption among university students.

8. odphp.health.gov odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/tools-action/browse-evidence-based-resources/motivational-interviewing-prevention-alcohol-misuse-young-adults

Motivational Interviewing for the Prevention of Alcohol Misuse ... In this Cochrane systematic review, the Cochrane Collaborative found that motivational interviewing has no meaningful benefits for preventing alcohol use, ...

9. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05756790

NCT05756790 | Couple-Based Motivational Interviewing ... The AUDIT is a 10-item scale that assesses drinking behavior with a range of 0-40 (higher scores indicate higher alcohol use). A score of 8 or more may indicate ...