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Southern Methodist Alcohol Research Trial (SMART)

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Alcohol Consumption
Interventions
Behavioral: Feedback
Behavioral: Motivational Interview with Feedback
Behavioral: Motivational Interview
Registration Number
NCT00374153
Lead Sponsor
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to look at the effects of assessment, feedback and motivational interviewing on alcohol consumption among college drinkers.

Detailed Description

Excessive alcohol consumption has been a growing problem at many US colleges. In response, colleges and universities have instituted a range of alcohol intervention and prevention programs for students. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is one brief intervention that has been shown to reduce heavy drinking among college students. To date, all college studies of MI have used a format that includes an assessment and feedback delivered in an MI style. Although this format has considerable empirical support, it remains unclear which of the components is necessary to produce behavior change. This study will evaluate the separate and collective effects of MI and feedback among "binge" drinking college students. Additionally, this study will evaluate the effects of the initial drinking assessment, through including a delayed-assessment control group. After an initial screen, 350 students at Southern Methodist University who report at least one heavy (i.e., "binge") episode during the previous two weeks will be randomized to: (1) MI with feedback, (2) MI without feedback, (3) Mailed feedback only, (4) Assessment only, or (5) Delayed assessment only. MI sessions will be delivered by trained and supervised counselors. Participants will be assessed via a secure Internet site at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months (12 months only for the Delayed-assessment group), with primary outcome measures including self-reported quantity and frequency of drinking, and drinking-related problems. Since college drinking is associated with substantial negative effects for drinkers, as well as for others, the findings of this study may have significant public health implications in terms of reducing costs, and improving services for students who choose to drink.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
363
Inclusion Criteria
  • Participants must be enrolled in Southern Methodist University.
  • Participants must report one "binge" episode (4 or more drinks in one setting for women, 5 or more drinks in one setting for men) in the past two weeks.
  • Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Participants will be excluded if they are not enrolled at Southern Methodist University.
  • Participants will be excluded if they do not report at least one "binge" episode in the past two weeks.
  • Participants will be excluded if they are less than 18 years old.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1FeedbackOnline personal feedback report.
2Motivational Interview with FeedbackIn-person Motivational Interview with personal feedback report
3Motivational InterviewIn-person Motivational Interview only (without a personal feedback report)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Drinks per weekone year
Peak BACone year
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Alcohol Related Consequences (RAPI)one year
Interpersonal Violence (CADRI)one year
Readiness to Change (RTCQ)one year
Protective Behaviors (PBQ)one year

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Southern Methodist University

🇺🇸

Dallas, Texas, United States

University of Texas School of Public Health Dallas Regional Campus

🇺🇸

Dallas, Texas, United States

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