ECALC Program for Reducing College Student Alcohol Abuse

(ECALC Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Central Florida

Disqualifiers: Not UCF student, Pregnant, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

360 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The current project uses a web-based program called the Expectancy Challenge Alcohol Literacy Curriculum (ECALC) to reduce alcohol use and associated harms among college students. Participants complete the interactive program in 50 minutes, and then provide daily, real-time data on expectancies and alcohol use for 3 weeks after intervention, and again for one week at 13 and 25 weeks after intervention. One group will also receive biweekly boosters delivered via smart phone to assess their impact on intervention decay over time. It is hypothesized that ECALC effects may decay over time, and that biweekly boosters will prevent this decay. Access to the ECALC is available on request from the principal investigator.

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 ECALC treatment for reducing college student alcohol abuse?

Research shows that the ECALC program effectively reduces alcohol use among college students by changing their expectations about alcohol. Studies found that students who participated in ECALC reported drinking less and had fewer binge-drinking episodes compared to those who did not participate. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the ECALC program safe for humans?

The ECALC program is a non-experiential, group-delivered intervention designed to reduce alcohol use among college students. It does not involve alcohol consumption as part of the program, suggesting it is generally safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

How is the ECALC treatment different from other treatments for reducing college student alcohol abuse?

The ECALC treatment is unique because it is a single session, group-delivered program that modifies alcohol expectancy processes without requiring actual alcohol consumption, making it practical for large classes and underage students. ^{1 2 3 6 8}

Research Team

Michael E Dunn, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Central Florida

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for full-time first-year college students who drink alcohol, as indicated by specific AUDIT-C scores (5 or higher for women, 7 or higher for men), speak English fluently, and can consent to research. It excludes non-students, pregnant individuals, and those with very high AUDIT scores (15+).

Inclusion Criteria

AUDIT-C score = 5 or higher (women), 7 or higher (men)

I am a full-time first-year college student.

Able to consent to participate in research

Exclusion Criteria

AUDIT score = 15 or higher

Pregnant

Not a student enrolled at University of Central Florida

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Intervention

Participants complete the Expectancy Challenge Alcohol Literacy Curriculum (ECALC) interactive program

50 minutes

1 visit (virtual)

Post-Intervention Monitoring

Participants provide daily, real-time data on expectancies and alcohol use for 3 weeks after intervention

3 weeks

Daily self-report (virtual)

Booster Sessions

Biweekly boosters delivered via smartphone to assess their impact on intervention decay over time

6 months

Biweekly sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in alcohol use and expectancies at 13 and 25 weeks post-intervention

6 months

Weekly self-report (virtual)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• ECALC
• ECALC Plus Weekly Boosters

Trial Overview The study tests a web-based program called ECALC designed to reduce alcohol use among college students. Participants complete the program and track their drinking habits over several months. Some will receive extra biweekly smartphone messages ('boosters') to see if they help maintain the program's benefits.

Participant Groups

Group I: ECALC Plus Weekly Boosters Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Cognitive Behavioral Program to Change Expectancy Processes with Weekly Booster Content Delivered by Mobile Device

Group II: ECALC Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Cognitive Behavioral Program to Change Expectancy Processes

Group III: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Control Group Presentation on Body Image

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Central Florida

Lead Sponsor

Trials

101

Recruited

1,191,000+

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Delivery of a Prevention Program in Large College Classes: Effectiveness of the Expectancy Challenge Alcohol Literacy Curriculum. [2023]

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

The Expectancy Challenge Alcohol Literacy Curriculum (ECALC): a single session group intervention to reduce alcohol use. [2012]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effective prevention programming for reducing alcohol-related harms experienced by first year college students: Evaluation of the expectancy challenge alcohol literacy curriculum (ECALC). [2023]

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

A comparison of computer-assisted and self-management programs for reducing alcohol use among students in first year experience courses. [2017]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Web-based alcohol prevention for incoming college students: a randomized controlled trial. [2022]

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

A controlled trial of web-based feedback for heavy drinking college students. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The eCHECKUP TO GO for High School: Impact on risk factors and protective behavioral strategies for alcohol use. [2022]

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

Resources to Reduce Underage Drinking Risks and Associated Harms: Social Ecological Perspectives. [2020]