A Reinforced Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Reduce Problematic Drinking Among Hispanic Emerging Adults

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: MBSR; Young Adults; Heavy Episodic Drinking

• Registration Number: NCT07192094
• Lead Sponsor: Florida International University

Brief Summary

This study is a trial to evaluate a mindfulness program designed for Hispanic young adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) an in-person, 8-week mindfulness program (one 1.5-hour session per week at FIU's MMC campus), or (2) an assessment-only control group. Regardless of group assignment. Participants will be asked to complete online surveys at baseline, after an 8-week period, and again one month later. They will also be asked to provide a fingerpick blood sample and have their heart rate and blood pressure measured at four timepoints: baseline, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after baseline. Participation will involve up to 16 hours over approximately 14 weeks. This includes time for completing baseline assessments, participating in the 8-week intervention (if assigned), and completing post-program and follow-up assessments. There are no serious risks of participating in this study, but some of the questions during the assessments, interview, or the fingerpick may cause you discomfort. The main benefit from participating in this clinical trial is that participants may experience personal benefits from learning mindfulness techniques.

Detailed Description

The primary objective of this Randomized Control Trial (RCT) will be to maximize the ecological validity of a cultural, and developmental adaptation of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program for Hispanic (self-identified) emerging adult (EA) participants (ages 18-25 years old).

The study team will recruit individuals (n=120, 60 Intervention, 60 Control ) from the target population, Hispanic EA (18-25) all of whom will meet the following eligibility criteria: self-identified Hispanic, 18-25 years old, engaged in 2 or more occasions of heavy episodic drinking occasions (HED) (4/5 drinks in one sitting for females/males) during the previous 30-days, and are actively enrolled at FIU as a student.

The intervention will consist of eight weekly 1.5-hour group sessions led by a trained facilitator at FIU's MMC campus and participants will be randomly assigned (1:1 allocation) to either the active Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction intervention group (n=60) or to an assessment-only control group (n=60).

Procedures for data collection, compensation, and biomarkers will be as follows: Participants who enroll in the full RCT will be compensated with gift cards for their time and effort in completing data collection activities at designated timepoints -. baseline, 1-month post-baseline, post-intervention (approximately 2 months post-baseline), and 1-month follow-up (approximately 3 months post-baseline).

Biomarker collection will include a fingerprick blood sample to test for the alcohol biomarker phosphatidylethanol (PEth), as well as assessments of heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure (BP) as physiological indicators of stress.

To enhance engagement and reinforce attendance, an evidence-based fixed escalating Contingency Management schedule will be implemented at the conclusion of each mindfulness session. The sessions will be recorded, transcribed, and coded for appropriate developmental and cultural content by the research team. The risks associated with participation are minimal, but can include discomfort from assessments, biomarker collections, and potential breach of confidentially but these are minimal and typical routine procedures. Anticipated benefits include participant enjoyment of the sessions, engagement in self-study, learning mindfulness techniques for managing stress, and potential positive outcomes from the intervention.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-09
• Study First Submitted: 2025-09-09
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-09-17
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-17
• Study First Posted: 2025-09-25
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-25
• Study Start: 2026-01-01
• Primary Completion: 2028-07
• Study Completion: 2028-07-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 120

Inclusion Criteria

• self-identified Hispanic,
• 18-25 years old,
• engaged in 2 or more occasions of heavy episodic drinking occasions (HED) (4/5 drinks in one sitting for females/males) during the previous 30-days
• actively enrolled FIU student. Exclusion Criteria

Participants will be flagged for exclusion criteria if they report any of the following:

• Five or more binge drinking episodes (5+ drinks in one sitting) in the past 30 days, which averages more than once per week.
• Weekly or more frequent use of other substances, including non-prescribed prescription drugs, illegal drugs, inhalants, or synthetic drugs.

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Feasibility - Retention	Post Intervention (within 1 week of completing the program) and follow-up (1-month post program completion)	Retention will be assessed as the proportion of enrolled participants who complete the post- and follow-intervention assessments. Unit of measure: percentage of enrolled participants.
Feasibility - Attendance (intervention group only)	Baseline through Week 8 (end of intervention)	Attendance will be assessed as the average number of sessions attended out of 8 total sessions. Unit of measure: mean number of sessions attended.
Acceptability	Post Intervention (within 1 week of completing the program)	Acceptability of the program will be assessed at post-intervention using a study-developed survey consisting of Likert-scale items (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree). The survey evaluates multiple domains, including appropriateness and relevance, ease of participation and feasibility, engagement and interest, perceived benefit, satisfaction, facilitator feedback, and acceptability of the companion rewards program. Higher scores indicate greater acceptability, and results will be summarized descriptively at the item and domain levels.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Reduction in alcohol consumption (self-report)	Baseline to Post Intervention (8 weeks), 1 month follow up (12 weeks)	Change average number of drinking days
Change in Perceived Stress	Baseline to Post Intervention (8 weeks), 1 month follow up (12 weeks)	Change in self reported stress using validated instruments in RedCap
Reduction in Heavy Episodic Drinking (PEth)	Baseline to Post Intervention (8 weeks), 1 month follow up (12 weeks)	Change in levels of Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) from baseline to post-intervention and 1-month follow-up.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Academic Health Center 5 (AHC 5); 🇺🇸 Miami, Florida, United States