Remote Guided Caffeine Reduction
Condition: Caffeine Dependence; Anxiety; Sleep Disturbance; Gastrointestinal Dysfunction; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Caffeine; Sleep Disorder; Caffeine; Caffeine-Induced Anxiety Disorder; Caffeine Withdrawal; Caffeine-Induced Sleep Disorder, Without Use Disorder; Caffeine Abuse; Insomnia; Anxiety Disorders; Sleep Disorder; Heartburn; Diarrhea
MeSH terms: Sleep Wake Disorders; Parasomnias; Dyssomnias; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Diarrhea; Heartburn; Anxiety Disorders
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this online research study is to determine whether or not a gradual caffeine
      reduction program developed at Johns Hopkins can help people reduce their caffeine use. The
      investigators will provide materials to help guide caffeine reduction and ask questions to
      track caffeine use over several weeks. The investigators will also assess how reducing
      caffeine may benefit common caffeine-related problems such as anxiety, sleep disturbances,
      and gastrointestinal distress. The study will also determine whether or not people like
      participating in this caffeine reduction program in an online format.
    

Detailed description: 
      There is emerging evidence that some individuals have difficulty cutting down or eliminating
      caffeine consumption in spite of clinically significant problems exacerbated by caffeine use.
      This study will evaluate whether a caffeine reduction program developed at Johns Hopkins can
      help people reduce their caffeine use in an online format. Volunteers will participate in an
      intervention study conducted entirely online, including video visits for screening,
      instructions for caffeine reduction, and follow up. The study also involves filling out
      online surveys sent via email and text message. During screening, participants will be asked
      questions about their personal characteristics including demographic information, weekly
      caffeine consumption, and general medical history. Participants who are determined to be
      eligible after screening will be randomized to either the immediate or delayed treatment
      group. Those in the immediate treatment group will have their next session immediately after
      screening while those in the delayed treatment group will have their next session 7 weeks
      after screening. At this session, participants receive a digital copy of a caffeine reduction
      manual and instructions on how to gradually cut down caffeine. After this, participants will
      complete weekly online surveys over six weeks. Participants will complete two follow-up video
      visits at 7 and 14 weeks after participants received the caffeine reduction instructions. The
      investigators will measure caffeine consumption over time using the online surveys and
      interview questions during video visits, and the investigators will also measure how various
      caffeine related problems may improve during caffeine reduction, such as sleep problems,
      gastrointestinal issues, and anxiety. During the end of study sessions, participants will
      answer questions related to acceptability of the online format and report on participants'
      current caffeine use.
    

Intervention name(s): Caffeine Reduction Manual
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): We will provide participants with a Guide to Caffeine Reduction and Cessation in order to help the reduce their caffeine use and determine their ratings of treatment acceptability.
Other intervention name(s): Johns Hopkins Guide to Caffeine Reduction and Cessation
Intervention MeSH terms: Caffeine
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Caffeine consumption and secondary measures will be examined before, during, and after the caffeine reduction intervention and compared between immediate and delayed treatment groups.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: caffeine; caffeine reduction; online study; manualized treatment; caffeine fading; remote intervention; remote trial