ClientBot for Alcoholism Counseling

Overseen By Roisin Slevin

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Lyssn.io, Inc.

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

164 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests ClientBot, an AI program that simulates a client with alcohol issues to help train counselors. It aims to enhance the skills of counselors by providing realistic practice and feedback to improve their counseling techniques.

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 ClientBot for alcoholism counseling?

Research shows that automated online programs can be helpful for people with alcohol problems, especially those motivated to change. Similar technologies, like the Tess chatbot, have been effective in engaging patients and supporting behavior change in other health areas, suggesting potential benefits for ClientBot in alcohol counseling. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is ClientBot safe for use in humans?

Research on conversational agents like ClientBot highlights the importance of ensuring safety by focusing on system safety (data security and privacy), patient safety (risk monitoring and content accuracy), and perceived safety (user comfort). While specific safety data for ClientBot is not provided, these general safety considerations are crucial for its safe use in healthcare. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

How is the treatment ClientBot for alcoholism counseling different from other treatments?

ClientBot is unique because it uses a chatbot to provide automated, online counseling for alcoholism, making it more accessible and interactive compared to traditional in-person therapy. This approach can reach a larger audience and is particularly helpful for individuals who are ambivalent about their drinking and motivated to change. ^{1 9 10 11 12}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for clinician trainees who are currently participating in training programs with the Prevention Research Institute (PRI). There are no specific exclusion criteria, so all those involved in such training are eligible to participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Clinician trainee participating in training with Prevention Research Institute (PRI)

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Stage 1: Usability and Interviews

Interviews with PRI trainers and trainees to assess current training practices and introduce the ClientBot platform.

1 month

Online sessions

Stage 2: Field Trial

A 2-week field trial with 20 recent PRI trainees to assess user workflow and system interaction with ClientBot.

2 weeks

Daily online interaction

Stage 3: Randomized Training Study

Randomized study with 200 PRI trainees to compare ClientBot training with training as usual (TAU).

6-8 months

Weekly practice sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for effectiveness and implementation readiness after training.

2 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• ClientBot

Trial Overview The study is testing 'ClientBot', an AI-based conversational agent designed to simulate a realistic client with alcohol concerns. It aims to support counselor training by providing performance feedback during motivational interviewing exercises.

Participant Groups

Group I: ClientBot (CB) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

CB trainees will engage in 5 weekly practice sessions with ClientBot

Group II: Treatment as Usual (TAU) Active Control 1 Intervention

TAU will receive no training during the intervention period.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Lyssn.io, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

4

Recruited

2,500+

Prevention Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

160+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Recruited

1,091,000+

Findings from Research

An online alcohol check-up program was developed and tested with 1,455 participants over 25 months, revealing that 83% had scores indicating problem drinking, highlighting the program's potential to reach individuals with untreated alcohol issues.

Participants with higher ambivalence about their drinking found the automated program particularly helpful, suggesting that computer-administered therapy can effectively engage those motivated to change their substance use behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Determinants of satisfaction with an automated alcohol evaluation program. Lieberman, DZ.[2019]

The Internet can significantly enhance addiction treatment by enabling efficient delivery of educational content and secure collection of self-reported data on substance use, making treatment more accessible and effective.

Internet applications support various aspects of addiction treatment, including assessment, monitoring patient outcomes, ongoing recovery support, and training for treatment providers, ultimately improving the quality of care and patient engagement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Internet technology can improve the quality of care for substance use disorders. Cucciare, MA., Weingardt, KR., Humphreys, K.[2019]

The behavioral coaching chatbot Tess was successfully integrated into the counseling of 23 adolescent patients dealing with weight management and prediabetes, showing high engagement with 4,123 messages exchanged and 96% of users finding it helpful.

Adolescents reported positive progress toward their health goals 81% of the time, indicating that Tess effectively supported treatment adherence and behavior change, demonstrating the potential for BITs to enhance behavioral health interventions in pediatric settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of pediatric obesity and prediabetes treatment support through Tess, the AI behavioral coaching chatbot. Stephens, TN., Joerin, A., Rauws, M., et al.[2020]

In a study with 32 participants, those who received a correct paraphrase of their medical query from conversational assistants were more likely to follow the advice given, highlighting the importance of accurate information delivery.

Participants who received a disclaimer message were significantly more inclined to consult a physician before acting on the advice, suggesting that incorporating disclaimers can help mitigate the risks of harmful medical recommendations from conversational assistants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mitigating Patient and Consumer Safety Risks When Using Conversational Assistants for Medical Information: Exploratory Mixed Methods Experiment. Bickmore, TW., Ólafsson, S., O'Leary, TK.[2022]

The study explores the effectiveness of a controlled drinking computer program designed for individuals with drinking problems, particularly targeting drink driving offenders.

This approach suggests that using microcomputer programs could be a cost-effective and efficient treatment option for addressing alcohol-related issues, leveraging the positive evidence for brief interventions and self-help materials.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can microcomputers help the problem drinker? Eltringham, A., Barber, JG.[2006]

References

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

Determinants of satisfaction with an automated alcohol evaluation program. [2019]

2. United Arab Emirates pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Internet technology can improve the quality of care for substance use disorders. [2019]

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

Balance--a pragmatic randomized controlled trial of an online intensive self-help alcohol intervention. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of pediatric obesity and prediabetes treatment support through Tess, the AI behavioral coaching chatbot. [2020]

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

Computer-assisted psychotherapy. [2016]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Towards Safe Conversational Agents in Healthcare. [2023]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile App-Based Coaching for Alcohol Prevention among Adolescents: Pre-Post Study on the Acceptance and Effectiveness of the Program "MobileCoach Alcohol". [2023]

8. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mitigating Patient and Consumer Safety Risks When Using Conversational Assistants for Medical Information: Exploratory Mixed Methods Experiment. [2022]

9. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Challenges in Designing a Prevention Chatbot for Eating Disorders: Observational Study. [2022]

10. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Use of Chatbots as Supportive Agents for People Seeking Help with Substance Use Disorder: A Systematic Review. [2022]

11. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Computer delivered intervention for alcohol and sexual risk reduction among women attending an urban sexually transmitted infection clinic: A randomized controlled trial. [2022]

12. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can microcomputers help the problem drinker? [2006]