Mobile Intervention for Drunk Driving

Overseen By Jenni B Teeters, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Western Kentucky University

Disqualifiers: Substance use treatment

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

240 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Substance-Impaired Driving among emerging adults remains a significant public health concern and may be the single riskiest substance-related outcome among young adults. Brief Interventions (BIs) have been shown to reduce alcohol-impaired driving among this age group, but are not often implemented - despite their demonstrated efficacy - because it is not economically feasible to deliver in-person BIs to all emerging adult substance users. The present study will be the first to examine whether a text-messaging-based cannabis-impaired driving BI significantly decreases cannabis-impaired driving among emerging adult cannabis users compared to an informational control. Participants will be 240 emerging adults who endorse driving after cannabis use (or combined alcohol and cannabis use) at least three times in the past 3 months. After completing baseline measures, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either: a) substance use information, b) a substance-impaired driving personalized feedback intervention, or c) a substance-impaired driving personalized feedback intervention plus interactive text messages. Participants will complete outcome measures 3 and 6 months post-intervention. Repeated measures mixed modeling analyses will be used to determine whether the intervention significantly reduces substance-impaired driving over time. The project has two specific aims: 1) to evaluate a text based cannabis-impaired driving intervention in a randomized clinical trial, and 2) to determine whether the use of interactive text-messages sustains intervention effects over time.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are currently in treatment for substance use, you would not be eligible to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment for reducing drunk driving?

Research shows that personalized feedback interventions (PFIs) are effective in reducing harmful alcohol use among college students, which suggests they could also help reduce drunk driving. Additionally, web-based personalized feedback programs have been well-received in other groups, like U.S. Marines, indicating their potential usefulness in different settings. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the mobile intervention for drunk driving safe for humans?

The research articles do not provide specific safety data for the mobile intervention for drunk driving, but they do not report any adverse effects, suggesting it is generally safe for human use. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How is the mobile intervention for drunk driving treatment different from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it uses personalized feedback and text messages delivered via mobile phones to specifically target and reduce drunk driving behavior, offering a convenient and immediate intervention compared to traditional methods. ^{11 12 13 14 15}

Research Team

Jenni Teeters, PhD

Principal Investigator

Western Kentucky University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking adults over 18 who have driven after using cannabis at least three times in the past three months. They must have a valid driver's license, access to a vehicle they plan to drive in the next six months, and be willing to read materials and exchange texts with the study team. People currently in substance use treatment cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Ability to speak, read, and write in English

I have a valid email address.

Reports having access to a motor vehicle, a valid driver's license, and plans to drive a vehicle in the next 6 months

Exclusion Criteria

Currently in treatment for substance use

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline measures and are randomly assigned to one of three groups: personalized feedback, personalized feedback with interactive text messages, or information only.

1 week

Intervention

Participants receive either substance use information, a substance-impaired driving personalized feedback intervention, or a substance-impaired driving personalized feedback intervention plus interactive text messages.

1 week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in driving behavior and perceptions at 3 and 6 months post-intervention.

6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Information Only
• Personalized feedback
• Personalized feedback and text messages

Trial Overview The study tests if text messages can help reduce driving under the influence of cannabis among young adults. Participants are randomly assigned to get just information, personalized feedback, or personalized feedback plus interactive texts. Their driving habits will be checked after 3 and 6 months.

Participant Groups

Group I: Personalized feedback and text messages Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Following the baseline assessment, participants will be sent a link via text message to a secure website containing substance-impaired driving specific personalized feedback (described above). Participants will be asked to send a text message back to the study administrator after viewing the feedback document. After confirming receipt and processing of the document, the study administrator will then send the participant three text messages containing open-ended questions.

Group II: Personalized Feedback Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Following the baseline assessment, participants will be sent a link via text message to a secure website containing substance-impaired driving specific personalized feedback. Feedback will include the following elements: a personalized substance use profile and substance-impaired driving profile, information on social norms related to substance use and substance-impaired driving, personalized information on BAC (or level of impairment due to drug use) prior to driving, costs associated with a DUI citation in Kentucky, and information on combined drug and alcohol impaired driving risk (if endorsed).

Group III: Information only Active Control 1 Intervention

Students randomized to the information condition will receive standard information about alcohol and other drugs and substance-impaired driving via a link to a website delivered through text message.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Western Kentucky University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

12

Recruited

1,400+

Findings from Research

Personalized drinking feedback interventions (PFIs) are effective in reducing harmful alcohol misuse among college students, based on a comprehensive review of 41 studies.

Interventions that included components like decisional balance, practical costs, and risk-limiting strategies showed significantly larger effects, highlighting the importance of these elements in developing effective feedback-based interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Personalized feedback interventions for college alcohol misuse: an update of Walters & Neighbors (2005). Miller, MB., Leffingwell, T., Claborn, K., et al.[2022]

Despite receiving feedback about their blood alcohol level (BAL), 83% of college-aged patrons who were legally intoxicated still chose to drive after leaving a drinking establishment, highlighting a concerning disregard for safety.

The study found a strong correlation (0.82) between self-reported alcohol consumption and Breathalyzer measurements, indicating that individuals were generally accurate in estimating their BAL based on their drinking habits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of feedback on legally intoxicated drivers. Meier, SE., Brigham, TA., Handel, G.[2019]

A smartphone application designed to help reduce unhealthy alcohol use was found to be acceptable and useful among 130 adults, with significant reductions in weekly drinking (from 15.0 to 10.9 drinks/week) and binge drinking (from 95.4% to 64.3%) after 3 months.

Participants who used the application more than once reported a 30% reduction in weekly alcohol consumption, indicating that increased engagement with the app may lead to better drinking outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smartphone application for unhealthy alcohol use: A pilot study. Bertholet, N., Daeppen, JB., McNeely, J., et al.[2022]

A mobile phone-based Brief Alcohol Intervention (BAI) specifically targeting driving after drinking significantly reduced the likelihood of college students driving after consuming three or more drinks, compared to an informational control group.

The study involved 84 college students and showed that those who received the mobile BAI reported a greater decrease in both the number of drinks consumed before driving and the likelihood of engaging in driving after drinking at a 3-month follow-up.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Mobile Phone-Based Brief Intervention With Personalized Feedback and Text Messaging Is Associated With Reductions in Driving After Drinking Among College Drinkers. Teeters, JB., Soltis, KE., Murphy, JG.[2019]

References

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

What do college student drinkers want to know? Student perceptions of alcohol-related feedback. [2013]

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

Personalized feedback interventions for college alcohol misuse: an update of Walters & Neighbors (2005). [2022]

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

Acceptance of Web-based personalized feedback: user ratings of an alcohol misuse prevention program targeting U.S. Marines. [2006]

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

Individual and situational factors that influence the efficacy of personalized feedback substance use interventions for mandated college students. [2021]

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

A randomized trial of motivational interviewing and feedback with heavy drinking college students. [2017]

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

Using mobile technology to influence alcohol-impaired driving risk perceptions and decisions. [2023]

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

Effects of feedback on legally intoxicated drivers. [2019]

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

Using national alcohol screening day to deliver personalized feedback: a pilot study. [2017]

9. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

'A circuit breaker' - Interrupting the alcohol autopilot: A qualitative exploration of participants' experiences of a personalised mHealth approach bias modification intervention for alcohol use. [2022]

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

The epidemiology of drinking and driving: results from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1986. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Group. [2019]

11. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Beyond Basic Feedback in Mobile Brief Interventions: Designing SMS Message Content for Delivery to Young Adults During Risky Drinking Events. [2022]

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

Results of a pilot test of a self-administered smartphone-based treatment system for alcohol use disorders: usability and early outcomes. [2022]

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

Smartphone application for unhealthy alcohol use: A pilot study. [2022]

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

A Mobile Phone-Based Brief Intervention With Personalized Feedback and Text Messaging Is Associated With Reductions in Driving After Drinking Among College Drinkers. [2019]

15. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of a smartphone intervention as a secondary prevention for use among university students with unhealthy alcohol use: randomised controlled trial. [2023]