Telemedicine for Alcoholism

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Overseen by Erin Bonar

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Disqualifiers: Non-English, Recent AUD therapy, others

No Placebo Group

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new online program to help people manage their health and alcohol use. Participants will discuss what's important to them, set goals, and learn new skills. The aim is to find better ways to deliver useful health information.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on telemedicine programs for managing alcohol use.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Telemedicine for Alcoholism?

Research shows that telemedicine, including video calls and phone support, is as effective as in-person care for treating alcohol use disorders, making it a good option for people in remote areas. Additionally, web-based programs can help prevent relapses by providing accessible and cost-effective therapy. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is telemedicine for alcoholism safe for humans?

The research does not provide specific safety data for telemedicine-based alcohol treatments, but it suggests that telemedicine is a feasible and potentially effective way to deliver treatment for alcohol use disorder. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

How is the TeleTx treatment for alcoholism different from other treatments?

The TeleTx treatment for alcoholism is unique because it uses telemedicine technology, such as videoconferencing, to deliver therapy remotely, making it accessible to people in rural or underserved areas who might not have easy access to traditional in-person treatment. ^{1 2 6 8 10}

Research Team

Erin Bonar

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Allison Lin, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with alcohol use disorder who drink on average three or more days per week, have access to a device with video capabilities or a phone, and can understand English. It's not suitable for those who've had recent AUD therapy, are at risk of complicated withdrawal, or have injected drugs in the past year.

Inclusion Criteria

An average of 3 or more drinking days per week for the past 30 days

Have regular access to a device with video capabilities or a phone to use for study related calls

Current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-5 alcohol use disorder (AUD) based on alcohol symptom checklist

Exclusion Criteria

Past-year drug injection

At elevated risk for complicated alcohol withdrawal

Inability to speak or understand English

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants are randomized to either the TeleTx intervention or Enhanced Usual Care (EUC) group, with sessions focusing on cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and psychoeducation.

3 months

Remote sessions via Zoom, Facetime, or Phone

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in alcohol use and quality of life, with follow-up visits up to 12 months from baseline.

12 months

Remote follow-up visits

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Enhanced Usual Care (EUC) (Behavioral Intervention)
• TeleTx intervention (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study compares two programs: TeleTx intervention delivered via telehealth platforms like Zoom and Enhanced Usual Care (EUC). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of these groups and followed up for up to 12 months to see which program better helps manage health behaviors related to alcohol use.

Participant Groups

Group I: TeleTx intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The evidence-based manualized psychosocial program is via telehealth and uses adaptations of cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing.

Group II: Enhanced Usual Care (EUC) Active Control 1 Intervention

EUC will include brief psychoeducation about AUD and resources for treatment.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

Marschall S. Runge

University of Michigan

Chief Executive Officer since 2015

MD, PhD

Karen McConnell

University of Michigan

Chief Medical Officer since 2020

MD

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Recruited

1,091,000+

Dr. George F. Koob

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Chief Executive Officer since 2014

PhD in Neurobiology from the Scripps Research Institute

Dr. Patricia Powell

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Chief Medical Officer since 2015

MD from an accredited institution

Findings from Research

Telemedicine, specifically through videoconferencing, is being used to effectively deliver motivational enhancement therapy to at-risk alcohol users in rural areas, where access to treatment is often limited.

This approach not only addresses the lack of evidence-based substance abuse treatment in rural communities but also tailors interventions to the specific needs of at-risk groups, enhancing the potential for positive outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Telemedicine-based alcohol services for rural offenders. Staton-Tindall, M., Wahler, E., Webster, JM., et al.[2021]

A study involving 262 participants with alcohol use disorder found that remote continuing care via telephone or smartphone significantly reduced heavy drinking days compared to traditional intensive outpatient programs (IOP) over 12 months.

Both telephone monitoring and smartphone support were effective, but combining the two did not provide additional benefits, and the positive effects did not last beyond the treatment period.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and comparative effectiveness of telephone and smartphone remote continuing care interventions for alcohol use disorder: a randomized controlled trial. McKay, JR., Gustafson, DH., Ivey, M., et al.[2023]

A study involving 360 patients with substance use disorders found that both telehealth and in-person treatment led to improvements in substance use, as measured by the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (DUDIT-C) scores.

There was no significant difference in treatment outcomes between telehealth and in-person care, indicating that telehealth is an effective alternative for treating substance use disorders in rural outpatient settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Change in Drug Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (DUDIT-C) with Telehealth Treatment Compared to in-Person Treatment. Neufeld, J., Ullrich, F., Merchant, KAS., et al.[2023]

This study will compare the effectiveness of a web-based relapse prevention therapy (e-RPT) to traditional face-to-face therapy (RPT) for adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD), involving 60 participants over 10 sessions.

The research aims to demonstrate that e-RPT can reduce relapse rates and improve quality of life, self-efficacy, and resilience, while also being more accessible and cost-effective than traditional therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developing and Implementing a Web-Based Relapse Prevention Psychotherapy Program for Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Eadie, J., Gutierrez, G., Moghimi, E., et al.[2023]

A 12-month online group treatment program for gambling disorders, developed during the COVID pandemic, showed that all four participants no longer met the criteria for Gambling Disorder after treatment and maintained abstinence for 12 months.

This study suggests that online group therapy can be an effective and acceptable method for treating gambling disorders, especially for individuals who prefer telehealth options, indicating a need for further research with larger randomized controlled trials.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Case Study Demonstration of the Potential Acceptability and Effectiveness of a Novel Telehealth Treatment for People Experiencing Gambling Harm. Oakes, J., Northe, V., Darwin, C., et al.[2022]

The Ria Treatment Platform (RTP) is a novel telemedicine program for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) that combines physician visits, medication, and support through a smartphone app, showing a 50% reduction in average blood alcohol content (BAC) among engaged patients over 90 days.

With a treatment retention rate of 55% at 90 days, the RTP demonstrates promising efficacy in reducing alcohol use, highlighting the potential of integrating technology and medical support in AUD treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A novel telehealth platform for alcohol use disorder treatment: preliminary evidence of reductions in drinking. Mitchell, MM., Mendelson, J., Gryczynski, J., et al.[2021]

In a study of 240 patients who completed a 12-week residential treatment for alcohol use disorder, high-frequency telephone-based continuing care (10 contacts) significantly improved abstinence rates at 6 months compared to a control group.

Patients receiving high-frequency telephone support also demonstrated greater alcohol-related self-efficacy and a longer time to relapse, suggesting that proactive contact from known psychotherapists can enhance recovery and prevent relapse after treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Telephone- and Text Message-Based Continuing Care After Residential Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Multicenter Study. Graser, Y., Stutz, S., Rösner, S., et al.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Telemedicine-based alcohol services for rural offenders. [2021]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and comparative effectiveness of telephone and smartphone remote continuing care interventions for alcohol use disorder: a randomized controlled trial. [2023]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Change in Drug Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (DUDIT-C) with Telehealth Treatment Compared to in-Person Treatment. [2023]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring client messages in a therapist-guided internet intervention for alcohol use disorders - A content analysis. [2022]

5. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developing and Implementing a Web-Based Relapse Prevention Psychotherapy Program for Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]

6. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measures of Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Quality of Telemedicine in the Management of Alcohol Abuse, Addiction, and Rehabilitation: Systematic Review. [2020]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Case Study Demonstration of the Potential Acceptability and Effectiveness of a Novel Telehealth Treatment for People Experiencing Gambling Harm. [2022]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A novel telehealth platform for alcohol use disorder treatment: preliminary evidence of reductions in drinking. [2021]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

METelemedicine: a pilot study with rural alcohol users on community supervision. [2021]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Telephone- and Text Message-Based Continuing Care After Residential Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Multicenter Study. [2021]