Deaf-MET for Alcoholism
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests a new therapy called DeafMET, designed for Deaf adults who struggle with high-risk alcohol use. DeafMET adapts Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) to focus on improving motivation to change drinking habits. The therapy is accessible in American Sign Language (ASL) and includes visual, easy-to-understand materials. It suits Deaf ASL users who have experienced problematic drinking and can use Zoom for sessions. The goal is to determine if this approach is feasible and effective, aiding future improvements. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to pioneering research tailored specifically for the Deaf community.
What prior data suggests that this DeafMET intervention is safe for Deaf adults with high-risk alcohol use?
Research has shown that Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), the basis for DeafMET, is generally easy for people to handle. Studies have found that MET often helps people reduce alcohol consumption over time and keeps them engaged in therapy due to its manageable nature.
Past participants have reported few side effects, and no major safety issues have emerged. Since MET is already used to treat alcohol use disorder, adapting it for Deaf individuals is expected to maintain its safety. While DeafMET is still under evaluation, existing evidence from MET suggests it should be safe for participants.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Most treatments for alcoholism typically involve counseling or medication, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or drugs like Naltrexone. However, DeafMET stands out because it specifically caters to Deaf adults, using American Sign Language and culturally relevant materials. This adaptation of Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is delivered in a way that is linguistically and visually accessible, incorporating visual aids and ASL teaching stories. Researchers are excited about DeafMET because it addresses a significant accessibility gap, potentially offering a more effective and engaging intervention for the Deaf community dealing with high-risk alcohol use.
What evidence suggests that DeafMET is effective for high-risk alcohol use?
Research has shown that Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) can help people reduce their alcohol use. One study found that participants increased their alcohol-free days from about 35% to over 73% within six months. Another study found that MET helped women drink less over time. This therapy also significantly reduced binge and heavy drinking while keeping people engaged in treatment. In this trial, participants in the experimental arm will receive DeafMET, which adapts these proven methods for Deaf individuals by using American Sign Language and visual materials. The goal is to make the therapy as accessible and effective as possible for Deaf adults dealing with alcohol use.46789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Alexander Wilkins, PhD, MSCI
Principal Investigator
UMass Chan Medical School
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Pre-intervention Assessment
Participants complete pre-intervention assessments and demographic survey
Treatment
Participants receive the DeafMET intervention over six sessions
Follow-up
Participants complete post-intervention assessments and exit interview
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- DeafMET
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Participants in the experimental arm will receive Deaf-MET, a culturally and linguistically accessible adaptation of Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) for Deaf adults with high-risk alcohol use. MET is a client-centered counseling approach that enhances motivation for change by exploring and resolving ambivalence, using reflective listening, feedback, and collaborative goal-setting. Deaf-MET will be delivered in American Sign Language and incorporates visual handouts, plain language materials, and filmed educational content adapted from the original MET protocol into ASL teaching stories. Sessions are offered in-person or via telehealth.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Massachusetts, Worcester
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Collaborator
Citations
Effect of Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) on the self ...
The result shows that the mean value of self-efficacy in (MET + TAU) group before intervention was 56.30 ± 2.99 and mean value of self-efficacy ...
Efficacy of motivational enhancement therapy to decrease ...
Treatment outcomes were analyzed in a subgroup of women with baseline alcohol use. •. MET resulted in decreased alcohol use over time in this subgroup of women.
Motivational interviewing and motivational enhancement ...
Several studies found that MI and MET led to significant reductions in alcohol use, binge or heavy drinking, and high treatment retention.
Efficacy of motivational enhancement therapy on alcohol ...
Findings: At baseline, subjects in MET had 34.98% days abstinent, which increased to 73.15% at 6 months compared to 34.63 and 59.49% for the control condition.
Efficacy of motivational enhancement therapy to decrease ...
Efficacy of motivational enhancement therapy to decrease alcohol and illicit-drug use in pregnant substance users reporting baseline alcohol use.
A Deaf-Accessible Pre-Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
MET is a brief pre-treatment that combines Motivational Interviewing and the stages of change to increase a client's motivation for actively engaging in ...
Piloting a Deaf Accessible Pre-Treatment for AUD
This study will conduct the first clinical pilot of DeafMET, a Deaf-accessible adaptation of Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) for alcohol ...
(PDF) The Efficacy of Motivational Enhancement Therapy ...
This study examines the efficacy of MET in enhancing readiness to change in seven male patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation for alcohol ...
Leveraging Community Engagement to Address Alcohol ...
Deaf MET. Adaptation of Motivational Enhancement Therapy for Deaf clients. • Current Status. • Analyzing qualitative interview data collected from Deaf people ...
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