Expectancy Challenge Intervention for Indigestion

(FAD Trial)

Overseen By Katherine A Berry, MS

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Wyoming

Disqualifiers: Psychological treatment history, Reducing drinking

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial investigates whether a new intervention, the Food and Alcohol Disturbance Expectancy Challenge, can help college students change their beliefs about food and alcohol disturbance (FAD). The goal is to determine if altering these beliefs reduces engagement in FAD behaviors. Participants will attend a 2-hour in-person session and complete a follow-up survey a month later. This trial suits college students who have engaged in FAD at least twice in the past month and have not received psychological treatment for alcohol or eating issues. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for students to contribute to innovative research that could lead to new approaches in addressing FAD behaviors.

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 prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for college students?

Research has shown that the expectancy challenge intervention for food and alcohol disturbance (FAD) targets changing beliefs about mixing food and alcohol. This intervention aims to reduce risky eating and drinking behaviors. No evidence indicates physical harm from this approach, as it focuses on altering thoughts and attitudes rather than using medication.

The study is labeled "Not Applicable" in terms of phases, indicating a focus on behavioral changes rather than testing a new drug. This suggests the intervention is generally safe for participants. As a form of psychoeducation, it is usually well-tolerated, involving learning and discussion rather than physical treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Expectancy Challenge Intervention for indigestion because it takes a unique psychological approach to treating the condition. Unlike traditional treatments, which often involve medications like antacids or proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid, this intervention focuses on challenging and changing participants' expectations about how food and alcohol affect their digestion. By targeting these expectancies, the intervention aims to alter behavior and potentially reduce indigestion symptoms without relying on medication. This innovative method could offer a non-pharmacological alternative for those seeking different ways to manage their digestive health.

What evidence suggests that this intervention could be effective for indigestion?

Research has shown that changing beliefs about food and alcohol habits can reduce harmful behaviors. In this trial, participants in the FAD Expectancy Challenge Condition will receive an intervention designed to challenge these beliefs, such as the misconception that drinking on an empty stomach will make them feel drunk faster, which is risky. By highlighting the negative effects of these habits, the expectancy challenge aims to reduce them. Early findings suggest that when students learn about the negative outcomes of these habits, they may be less likely to engage in them. Overall, correcting misunderstandings about food and alcohol can lead to healthier choices among college students. Participants in the control condition will receive psychoeducation on disordered eating behaviors, with only a brief mention of FAD, excluding any discussion of expectancies and consequences. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Katherine A Berry, MS

Principal Investigator

University of Wyoming

Alison Looby, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Wyoming

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for college students who experience food and alcohol disturbance (FAD). Participants should be willing to attend a 2-hour in-person session and complete follow-up surveys. Specific inclusion or exclusion criteria are not provided, but typically these would relate to age, health status, and behaviors relevant to the study.

Inclusion Criteria

Must report engaging in FAD at least two times over the past month

Exclusion Criteria

Report hazardous drinking as indicated by the US Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test

Report clinically significant eating disorder symptoms as indicated by the Eating Disorder Examination - Questionnaire7

Have a current or past history of receiving psychological treatment for their alcohol use and/or eating behaviors

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in a 120-minute in-person session involving expectancy challenge intervention or psychoeducation

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants complete an online follow-up survey to assess changes in FAD expectancies and behaviors

4 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Food and alcohol disturbance expectancy challenge

Trial Overview The trial tests an intervention designed to change college students' beliefs about FAD. It involves filling out surveys, learning sessions, and belief-challenging exercises during a single laboratory visit with a one-month follow-up survey.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: FAD Expectancy Challenge Condition Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in the experimental condition will be delivered the FAD expectancy challenge intervention.

Group II: Disordered Eating Psychoeducation Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the control condition will receive psychoeducation on disordered eating behaviors, with only a brief mention of FAD, and excluding any discussion of expectancies and consequences.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Wyoming

Lead Sponsor

Trials

20

Recruited

1,600+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-food-and-alcohol-disturbance-1-2025-c0f13

Expectancy Challenge Intervention for Indigestion (FAD Trial) This study aims to create and test an intervention that helps college students re-evaluate their beliefs about food and alcohol disturbance (FAD) and, ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38918931/

If You Don't Eat, You Can Get Drunk Faster "If You Don't Eat, You Can Get Drunk Faster": A Qualitative Investigation of Food and Alcohol Disturbance (FAD) Expectancies. Subst Use Misuse.

3. cdn.clinicaltrials.gov cdn.clinicaltrials.gov/large-docs/14/NCT06810414/ICF_001.pdf

Consent for Participating in Research Evaluation of an Expectancy Challenge Intervention for Food and Alcohol Disturbance (FAD) Among. College Students. NCT06810414. Document Date: 12/19/2024. Page ...

4. hecaod.osu.edu hecaod.osu.edu/if-you-dont-eat-you-can-get-drunk-faster-a-qualitative-investigation-of-food-and-alcohol-disturbance-fad-expectancies/

“If You Don't Eat, You Can Get Drunk Faster”: A Qualitative ... ... Food and Alcohol Disturbance (FAD) Expectancies. Food and alcohol ... disorder eating behaviors on their own are associated with many negative ...

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/381728064_If_You_Don't_Eat_You_Can_Get_Drunk_Faster_A_Qualitative_Investigation_of_Food_and_Alcohol_Disturbance_FAD_Expectancies

(PDF) "If You Don't Eat, You Can Get Drunk Faster" ... Food and Alcohol Disturbance (FAD) Expectancies. Taylor & Francis ... disorder and social anxiety disorder on the association between PBS and ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10815297/

Food and Alcohol Disturbance in High School Adolescents Food and alcohol disturbance in high school adolescents: prevalence, characteristics and association with problem drinking and eating disorders.