School Interventions for Adolescent Alcohol Use
(OASIS Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if brief interventions to reduce alcohol use can be effectively delivered in high schools. It will test various methods of providing these interventions, including using an expanded team of staff and trained helpers (Expanded Paraprofessional Workforce), to identify the most effective approach. The trial also seeks to determine if these interventions are equally effective for all students, regardless of their backgrounds. High school students in Massachusetts who are currently drinking or at risk of drinking might be suitable candidates for this trial. Schools will be randomly assigned to one of four different intervention groups, and students will complete surveys over two years. As an unphased trial, this study offers students the opportunity to contribute to important research that could shape future alcohol intervention programs in schools.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's interventions are likely to be safe?
A previous study showed that using a larger team of trained support staff in schools helped address mental health needs among children and teens. These staff members assist with screening and brief support sessions, and this approach is generally well-received.
Research on programs for high-risk drinkers has found that substance use significantly decreases when students attend at least 60% of the sessions. For programs targeting current drinkers with varying risk levels, studies have noted a reduction in alcohol use and related problems.
These programs focus on behavior and support rather than medical treatments, making them usually safe and well-tolerated. No significant negative effects were reported in these studies, which reassures those considering participation.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about these interventions for adolescent alcohol use because they bring innovative approaches to prevention directly into schools. Unlike traditional methods, which often focus solely on high-risk drinkers, these interventions expand eligibility to include all current drinkers, offering a broader reach. Additionally, they leverage a diverse workforce, including school nurses, clinical staff, and trained paraprofessionals, to deliver brief interventions, making them more accessible and potentially more effective in a school setting. This inclusive and comprehensive strategy could lead to more effective prevention and early intervention among adolescents.
What evidence suggests that this trial's interventions could be effective for adolescent alcohol use?
This trial will compare different school-based interventions for adolescent alcohol use. Research has shown that using a larger team, including trained helpers, can effectively reduce substance use among teenagers. In this trial, some participants will receive interventions delivered by an expanded workforce, including school nursing or clinical staff and trained paraprofessionals. Studies indicate that students who participate in at least 60% of the program drink significantly less alcohol.
Other participants will receive interventions focusing on high-risk drinkers, which previous research suggested helps reduce alcohol-related problems over time. Targeted prevention methods also show promise, with a noticeable drop in alcohol use and related issues observed during follow-ups. Overall, these school-based programs have a strong record of helping teens cut down on risky drinking.23678Who Is on the Research Team?
Randi M Schuster, PhD
Principal Investigator
Massachusetts General Hospital
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for high school students in Massachusetts who are enrolled in a grade that's participating in the SBIRT program. Students can join if their parents or guardians haven't opted out. The study focuses on preventing and addressing alcohol use and other risky behaviors among adolescents.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Participants complete a baseline survey prior to school-wide screening for SBIRT
Intervention
Brief interventions delivered based on screening results, with expanded workforce involving school staff and paraprofessionals
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for alcohol use, mental health, and substance use outcomes
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Expanded Paraprofessional Workforce
- Indicated Prevention
- Selective Prevention
Trial Overview
The study tests whether brief interventions by clinical staff or trained paraprofessionals at schools can help prevent or reduce substance abuse among teens. Schools will be randomly assigned to one of four different intervention strategies, with follow-up surveys over two years.
How Is the Trial Designed?
4
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Expanded brief intervention eligibility criteria involving selective prevention in addition to indicated prevention (i.e., brief interventions delivered to current drinkers with and without risky alcohol use). BIs delivered by expanded SBIRT workforce involving school nursing or clinical staff and trained paraprofessionals.
Expanded brief intervention eligibility criteria involving selective prevention in addition to indicated prevention (i.e., brief interventions delivered to current drinkers with and without risky alcohol use). BIs delivered by standard SBIRT workforce involving school nursing or clinical staff.
Standard brief intervention eligibility criteria involving indicated prevention (i.e., brief interventions delivered to high-risk drinkers only). BIs delivered by expanded SBIRT workforce involving school nursing or clinical staff and trained paraprofessionals.
Standard brief intervention eligibility criteria involving indicated prevention (i.e., brief interventions delivered to high-risk drinkers only). BIs delivered by standard SBIRT workforce involving school nursing or clinical staff.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Massachusetts General Hospital
Lead Sponsor
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Collaborator
Harvard University
Collaborator
C4 Innovations, LLC
Collaborator
Citations
A Case for Expansion of a Peer Workforce in Child ...
The rise in child and adolescent mental health concerns has led to the need for an expanded workforce to meet the needs of our nation's families ...
Evidence-Based Interventions for Preventing Substance Use ...
The strongest intervention effects were observed among students exposed to at least 60% of the intervention; these students had significantly lower rates than ...
Addressing Youth Substance Use through School Services ...
Studies examining changes in youth substance use during the pandemic have found mixed results, including decreases in alcohol use, increases in unhealthy use of ...
4.
researchgate.net
researchgate.net/publication/353992489_Trends_in_Substance_Use_and_Prevention_Education_Involvement_among_US_Adolescents_Receiving_Public_Assistance_New_EvidenceTrends in Substance Use and Prevention Education ...
Results Compared to non-enrollees, PA program enrollees reported significantly lower rates of involvement in all prevention education settings, including parent ...
Expanding School-Based Motivational Interviewing ...
The most consistent conclusion among the studies reviewed was that paraprofessionals can be trained to deliver MI-based interventions, with 15 ...
School Interventions for Adolescent Alcohol Use (OASIS Trial)
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Expanded Paraprofessional Workforce, Indicated Prevention, Selective Prevention for adolescent alcohol use ...
7.
bipartisanpolicy.org
bipartisanpolicy.org/download/?file=/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/BPC_2022_Behavioral-Health-Integration-Report_RV3.pdfFilling the Gaps in the Behavioral Health Workforce
Congress should consider ways to study related outcome data to better understand BHSSs' impacts, perhaps to expand. BHSS reimbursement.
Research and Reports - Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse ...
This report focus on closing research gaps, supporting an MEB disorder prevention workforce, ensuring adequate data to support prevention and reporting.
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