Self-Talk Videos for Reducing Alcohol Consumption

Overseen By Jennifer Stidham, BA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Wayne State University

Disqualifiers: Failure to meet inclusion criteria

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

120 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Motivational Interview with Self-Talk Video for reducing alcohol consumption?

Research shows that motivational interviewing, a key part of this treatment, helps people talk about their desire to change, which can boost their motivation to reduce drinking. Additionally, using video self-confrontation, where people see themselves on video, has been shown to lead to positive changes in drinking behavior. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Self-Talk Video Intervention safe for humans?

The research on Motivational Interviewing and its adaptations, like Self-Talk Video Intervention, does not report any safety concerns, suggesting it is generally safe for humans. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

How is the Motivational Interview with Self-Talk Video treatment different from other treatments for reducing alcohol consumption?

This treatment is unique because it combines motivational interviewing, which encourages people to talk about their desire to change, with self-talk videos that help individuals see and hear themselves discussing their goals. This approach can enhance motivation by allowing participants to reflect on their own words and intentions, making it different from traditional counseling or standard treatments. ^{1 3 4 9 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of the current study is to develop and test an innovative, low-burden method of post-intervention contact that is based on principles of motivational interviewing and the elicitation of change talk. Participants will be randomly assigned to an assessment only control group, a standard BMI group or a BMI + video group. Participants in the BMI and BMI + video groups will complete a semi-structured, motivational intervention. Following the intervention, participants in the BMI + video group will be asked to create a personalized video in which they speak to their future self and describe their reasons for wanting to reduce their alcohol use and their commitment to change. Doctoral level psychology graduate students will assist participants in idea generation and creation of the post-intervention video. Video group participants will then be sent their personalized videos 21 days after the baseline session, a time when motivation to reduce drinking often begins to wane. It is hypothesized that participants in the BMI + video group will rate the video exercise as helpful, encouraging, and easy to complete. It is further hypothesized that, over the 6-week intervention period, (1) participants in the BMI + video group will reduce their alcohol use more than those in the standard BMI and control groups and (2) participants in the standard BMI group will reduce their alcohol use more than those in the control group.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals struggling with alcohol consumption or abuse. Participants should be willing to undergo motivational interviewing and, if assigned, create a self-talk video addressing their future selves about reducing alcohol use.

Inclusion Criteria

Accessibility to internet and laptop with camera and microphone

Meets National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism criteria for heavy drinking

Exclusion Criteria

Failure to meet inclusion criteria

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants complete a semi-structured, motivational intervention. BMI + video group participants create a personalized video for future self-motivation.

6 weeks

1 visit (in-person) for baseline session

Post-Intervention Contact

Participants in the BMI + video group receive their personalized videos 21 days after the baseline session to reinforce motivation.

3 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in alcohol use and satisfaction with the intervention.

6 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Motivational Interview with Self-Talk Video

Trial Overview The study tests whether adding a personalized self-talk video to standard motivational interviewing helps reduce alcohol use more effectively. Participants are divided into three groups: control, standard intervention (BMI), and BMI plus the self-talk video.

Participant Groups

Group I: Motivational Interview Plus Video Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Motivational Interview Only Active Control 1 Intervention

Group III: Assessment Only Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Wayne State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

318

Recruited

111,000+

Findings from Research

The study found that an automated motivational interviewing technique (TAMI) effectively elicited 'change talk' from participants, with an average of 16 out of 25 responses indicating motivation for change, suggesting its potential efficacy in enhancing motivation.

Participants appreciated the opportunity to reflect on their goals during the automated interview, although they expressed a desire for a more personalized interaction, indicating that while TAMI is motivating, improvements could enhance user experience.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Say it aloud: Measuring change talk and user perceptions in an automated, technology-delivered adaptation of motivational interviewing delivered by video-counsellor. Galvão Gomes da Silva, J., Kavanagh, DJ., May, J., et al.[2020]

The study found that using a 'Motivational Interviewing' style significantly improved self-efficacy in individuals receiving treatment for alcohol-related problems, as measured by the Situational Confidence Questionnaire (SCQ).

In contrast, clients who received 'Advice' did not show the same increase in confidence, suggesting that the interview style can impact treatment outcomes and may inform clinical practices in alcohol treatment programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Minimal interventions with problem drinkers--a pilot study of the effect of two interview styles on perceived self-efficacy. Galbraith, IG.[2009]

Alcoholics who underwent videotape self-confrontation therapy showed significantly greater positive changes in their drinking behaviors compared to those receiving only behavior counseling or standard inpatient treatment, based on a study involving 40 participants divided into four groups.

The study found that the effectiveness of the experimental treatments, especially videotape self-confrontation, was predictive of better drinking outcomes during follow-up assessments, indicating its potential as a valuable intervention in alcohol treatment programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of videotaped modeling and self-confrontation on the drinking behavior of alcoholics. Baker, TB., Udin, H., Vogler, RE.[2019]

The study involving 158 Latinx heavy drinkers found that specific aspects of self-exploration during motivational interviews, particularly cognitive insights, were linked to reduced drinking days, suggesting that deeper self-reflection can aid in behavior change.

The adapted measure of self-exploration demonstrated good reliability and validity, indicating it could be a useful tool for understanding the relationship between self-exploration and drinking behavior in therapeutic settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining client self-exploration in motivational interviewing: Preliminary psychometrics of an observational rating measure. Lee, CS., Magill, M., Figuereo, VJ., et al.[2022]

Motivational interviewing effectively helps alcohol-dependent patients tap into their own motivations for change, emphasizing the importance of the patient's autonomy and inner voice rather than external motivation.

The technique involves a structured approach using principles like OARS (Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, Summarizing) and the EPE (Explore, Provide, Explore) method, which can enhance the likelihood of positive behavior change by fostering 'change talk' during conversations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Motivational interviewing with alcohol-dependent patients]. Spaeth, M., Bleich, S., Hillemacher, T.[2018]

Motivational interviewing (MI) significantly increased 'change talk' among problem drinkers compared to a relational MI without directive elements (spirit-only MI), suggesting that MI effectively engages clients in discussions about change.

While all treatment conditions (MI, SOMI, and self-change control) led to a reduction in drinking over the 8-week period, MI was found to reduce drinking more rapidly, indicating its potential for quicker behavioral change in substance use treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Motivational interviewing: a pilot test of active ingredients and mechanisms of change. Morgenstern, J., Kuerbis, A., Amrhein, P., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 47 undergraduates with drinking concerns, change talk was significantly more prevalent in the change talk evocation condition compared to the functional analysis condition, indicating that specific techniques can effectively elicit client motivation for behavior change.

The results support the idea that change talk is a key component of motivational interviewing, suggesting that training clinicians to recognize and respond to this language could enhance their effectiveness in promoting behavioral change.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Chasing change talk: the clinician's role in evoking client language about change. Glynn, LH., Moyers, TB.[2010]

In a study involving HIV-infected patients who consumed heavy alcohol, the combination of brief motivational interviewing (MI) and HealthCall (an interactive voice response system) significantly reduced the number of drinks per day compared to a control group, showing the potential for enhanced intervention in this population.

While MI alone also showed some effectiveness, the MI+HealthCall group had the most substantial reduction in drinking, particularly among alcohol-dependent patients, suggesting that this approach could be a valuable tool in HIV primary care settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing heavy drinking in HIV primary care: a randomized trial of brief intervention, with and without technological enhancement. Hasin, DS., Aharonovich, E., O'Leary, A., et al.[2021]

Many individuals with alcohol dependence do not receive proper diagnosis or treatment in primary care due to stigma and lack of knowledge among healthcare professionals, highlighting the need for better training and awareness.

Motivational Interviewing and brief interventions, which involve empathetic communication and support for self-efficacy, can significantly improve outcomes for patients with alcohol-related disorders, making primary care a suitable setting for effective screening and intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Early detection, negotiation and treatment of alcohol use disorders in primary care]. Reimer, J., Cimander, KF., Reimer, C.[2014]

Motivational interviewing (MI) significantly reduces substance use compared to no treatment, with the strongest effect observed immediately after the intervention (SMD 0.79), but the effect diminishes over time, becoming non-significant in long-term follow-ups.

MI shows no significant advantage over standard treatment methods, but it outperforms assessment and feedback interventions in medium-term follow-ups (SMD 0.38), indicating its potential value in specific contexts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Motivational interviewing for substance abuse. Smedslund, G., Berg, RC., Hammerstrøm, KT., et al.[2022]

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Say it aloud: Measuring change talk and user perceptions in an automated, technology-delivered adaptation of motivational interviewing delivered by video-counsellor. [2020]

2. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Minimal interventions with problem drinkers--a pilot study of the effect of two interview styles on perceived self-efficacy. [2009]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of videotaped modeling and self-confrontation on the drinking behavior of alcoholics. [2019]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining client self-exploration in motivational interviewing: Preliminary psychometrics of an observational rating measure. [2022]

5. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Motivational interviewing with alcohol-dependent patients]. [2018]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Motivational interviewing: a pilot test of active ingredients and mechanisms of change. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Chasing change talk: the clinician's role in evoking client language about change. [2010]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing heavy drinking in HIV primary care: a randomized trial of brief intervention, with and without technological enhancement. [2021]

9. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Early detection, negotiation and treatment of alcohol use disorders in primary care]. [2014]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Motivational interviewing for substance abuse. [2022]