E-alcohol Therapy - an Evaluation of Alcohol Therapy Delivered Via Video Conference

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The study evaluates whether the introduction of e-alcohol therapy (alcohol therapy delivered via video conference) can break with some of the barriers related to alcohol treatment and thereby appeal to people with a problematic alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Test score ≥ 8). The study aims to evaluate the effect of e-alcohol therapy on initiation, treatment compliance and alcohol intake as compared to treatment as usual .

Detailed Description
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Background: Only a small proportion of those who have a problematic alcohol use receive treatment and compliance is low among the few that undergo treatment. If treatment more easily can be combined with everyday life and break with some of the barriers related to stigma by having a broader appeal, more people with a problematic alcohol use may seek and complete treatment. Alcohol therapy conducted via video conference may be an attractive treatment option and effective in reducing alcohol intake among people with a problematic alcohol use who do not seek traditional treatment. Objective: The aim of this trial is to evaluate whether people with a problematic alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Test score ≥ 8), who enroll in alcohol therapy delivered via video conference to a greater extent initiate as well as comply with treatment and reduce their alcohol intake compared to people allocated to standard alcohol treatment. Design: Randomized controlled trial Participants: 375 Danish citizens above 18 years with a problematic alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Test (AUDIT) score >8). Intervention: Participants are randomized to one of two groups: Conversational therapy via video conference where participants are contacted by an alcohol therapist for the purpose of initiating a course of treatment where participants are not required to show up at a clinic. Treatment as usual where participants receive contact information on their local alcohol treatment facility for the purpose of contacting the facility to initiate a face-to-face course of treatment at the clinic. The allocation of participants to the intervention will be 1:1 to the intervention and the control group. Methods: Data will be collected by questionnaire at baseline, 3 months and 12 months post randomization. Analyses will be intention to treat. Subgroup analysis will be conducted in relation to personal and demographic characteristics. Process evaluation will be performed using a combination of questionnaires and qualitative interviews with participants, therapists and management at the clinics.

Official Title
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E-alcohol Therapy - an Evaluation of Alcohol Therapy Delivered Via Video Conference

Conditions
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Alcohol; Harmful Use

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: E-alcohol therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: - Problematic alcohol consumption (Alcohol Use Disorder Test score ≥ 8) Exclusion Criteria: Not legally able and willing to provide informed consent No provision of a functional e-mail address No provision of municipality of residence and phone number No access to a personal computer equipped with functional camera, audio equipment, and Internet access.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 100 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention<br>Conversational therapy via video conference where participants are contacted by an alcohol therapist for the purpose of initiating a course of therapy where participants are not required to show up at a clinic. | Behavioral: E-alcohol therapy<br>* Conversational therapy sessions provided via video conference by a professional alcohol therapist.<br>* Other names: Electronic alcohol therapy;|
| No Intervention: Control<br>Treatment as usual where participants receive contact information on their local alcohol treatment facility for the purpose of contacting the facility to initiate a face-to-face course of treatment at the clinic. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Initiation of treatment (completion of one session) | 25% higher completion of one treatment session | 3 months post randomization | 
| Initiation of treatment (completion of one session) | 25% higher completion of at least one treatment sessions | 12 months post randomization | 
| Compliance (completion of at least 3 sessions) | 25% higher completion of at least three treatment sessions | 3 months post randomization | 
| Compliance (completion of at least 3 sessions) | 25% higher completion of at least three treatment sessions | 12 months post randomization | 
| Total weekly alcohol intake (measured by Timeline follow back) | Higher reduction in total weekly alcohol intake (measured by Timeline follow back) (5 units) | 3 months post randomization | 
| Total weekly alcohol intake (measured by Timeline follow back) | Higher reduction in total weekly alcohol intake (measured by Timeline follow back) (5 units) | 12 months post randomization | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly alcohol intake below national guidelines | 20% increase in participants reporting a weekly alcohol intake below the national high risk drinking limits. | 3 and 12 months post randomization | 
| Weekly number of heavy drinking days | Lower number of weekly heavy drinking days (5+ units in one occasion) | 3 and 12 months post randomization | 
| Weekly drinking days | Lower number of weekly drinking days | 3 and 12 months post randomization | 
| Problematic drinking | Lower Alcohol Use Disorder Test score | 12 months post randomization | 
| Quality of life | Higher quality of life as measured by the 'Cantril Ladder' | 3 and 12 months post randomization |