Assessing the Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness of a Virtual PEth-based Contingency Management for Adults With AUD
Washington State University
Summary
The overall objective of this program of research is to utilize phosphatidylethanol (PEth), a blood-based biomarker that can detect alcohol use for up to 28 days to deliver a feasible telehealth-based 26-week CM intervention. This study will test a telehealth PEth-based CM model in a sample of adults with AUD (n=200), recruited via online platforms by randomizing individuals to six months of 1) an online cognitive behavioral therapy for AUD (CBT4CBT) and telehealth PEth-based CM (CM condition) or 2) CBT4CBT and reinforcers for submitting blood samples (no abstinence required) (control condition). Investigators will assess group differences in PEth-defined abstinence and regular excessive drinking (PEth \>= 200 ng/mL), and alcohol-related harms (e.g., smoking, drug use). This study will address important gaps in CM research by assessing outcomes during a 12-month follow-up, which is much longer than most previous CM studies; using a conceptual model to identify predictors of post-treatment abstinence. Investigators will conduct an economic analysis to place the cost of this model in the context of downstream CM-associated cost-offsets and improvements in personal and public health.
Description
The overall objective of this study is to utilize phosphatidylethanol (PEth), a blood-based biomarker that can detect alcohol use for up to 28 days to deliver a feasible telehealth-based 26-week CM intervention. In a pilot trial, we developed a telehealth-based PEth CM intervention where participants used a medical device, the TASSO-M20 to self-collect blood for PEth testing under the observation of research staff over Zoom. This intervention used a two-phase approach where the frequency of PEth testing and reinforcement was decreased from once a week, to as infrequently as every four weeks on…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Had 2 heavy drinking episodes (assigned male at birth \> 4 standard drinks (SDs), assigned female at birth \> 3 SDs) or ≥14 SDs in the prior 14 days verified by PEth 16:0/18:1 biomarker \> 20 ng/mL (indicates at least 2 heavy drinking episodes in past two weeks); 2. Have a DSM-5 diagnosis of a current AUD as assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5; 3. 18+ (individuals over 65 will be assessed for cognitive impairments) 4. Are not receiving treatment for AUD 5. Are able to complete virtual study visits via Zoom Exclusion Criteria: 1. have a current diag…
Interventions
- BehavioralContingency Management
Contingency Management (CM) is an intervention that uses positive reinforcement (e.g. gift cards) to reinforce a desired behavior (e.g. negative alcohol biomarker tests) on a frequent (e.g. weekly), escalating (e.g. $5/week) schedule (e.g. 26 weeks) in order to increase the occurrence of that behavior (e.g. long term alcohol abstinence or reduction in drinking).
- BehavioralComputer Based Training for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for AUD (CBT4CBT)
CBT4CBT is an evidence-based online intervention that teaches CBT principles and skills to help people with alcohol use disorder reduce their drinking. CBT4CBT teaches CBT principles through video, graphics, audio instruction, and interactive exercises. Modules include video-based examples to emphasize learning of behavioral, cognitive, and affective strategies, with an emphasis on learning from examples of individuals using skills in a range of situations. Skills taught include functional analysis, coping with craving and emotions, problem solving, decision making, challenging thoughts, and assertive alcohol refusal. Interactive exercises and homework are used to encourage skills learning and practice.
Location
- Washington State UniversitySpokane, Washington