N/A
Completed N=178
Relational Agent for Alcohol Screening and Treatment
Unhealthy Alcohol Use · Alcohol Use Disorder · Alcohol Disorders
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02030288 ↗
Enrolled (actual)
178
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Oct 2020
Primary outcomePrimary: Drinks Per Drinking Day (DDPW) — 2.98; 4.00; 1.87; 2.82 drinks per drinking day
Summary
This project will involve the development and initial evaluation of a promising computer-based intervention to improve the primary care management of risky alcohol use among Veterans. The intervention uses a Relational Agent, an on-screen "person" that establishes a relationship with the Veteran to promote positive health behaviors. This study will determine how Veterans interact with this system, how it can be tailored to Veterans' preferences, and its potential effect on risky drinking. If ultimately proven effective, the Relational Agent will have several impacts on Veterans and their health care, including:
* (1) lower rates of risky drinking in Veterans
* (2) improved rates of brief counseling for Veterans with excessive alcohol use
* (3) increased proportion of Veterans referred to Mental Health for alcohol disorders
* (4) improved care for Veterans with low levels of health literacy.
This study directly supports Secretary Shinseki's Transformational Initiative to employ state-of-the-art information technology to improve quality and access of Veterans' health care.
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Drinks Per Drinking Day (DDPW) |
2.98; 4.00; 1.87; 2.82 | — |
| SECONDARY Drinking Days Per Week (DDPW) |
4.07; 4.72; 3.26; 3.83 | — |
| SECONDARY Brief Intervention |
89; 63 | — |
| SECONDARY Referral to Speciality Care for Alcohol Problem |
25; 1 | — |
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
Veterans receiving Primary Care at VA Boston Healthcare System.
- age 18 years or older,
- having a primary care provider at any primary care clinic in VABHCS,
- having a positive screen on the AUDIT-C.
- have a stable address and/or phone number for 6 months
- willing to provide the contact information for at least one locator
Exclusion Criteria
- The investigators will exclude Veterans with cognitive impairment that would preclude their ability to use the Relational Agent
- The investigators will use their ability to read and understand the consent form as a screen for this.
- In the investigators' pilot studies, the use of the 6-item screener did not result in excluding anyone.
- no substance abuse treatment in the last 30 days
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02030288). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication. Informational only — not medical advice.