Smartphone Technology: Young Adult Drinking (STEADY)

University of Florida

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2; Phase 1

Conditions: Alcohol Use; Drinking Behavior; Alcohol Drinking

Treatments: Other: BAC estimator app use; Other: Text messaging procedure; Other: Smartphone breathalyzer device/app use

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT02963818

IRB201600614-N

R21AA023368 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Exploring technology based tools to reduce drinking is important. The purpose of this research study is to compare different BAC monitoring apps for their effects on alcohol drinking and ratings of usability among young adults.This study will be conducted in six phases: a web-based and in-person screening assessment; brief counseling session on the day before the alcohol drinking session; brief appointment on the day of the alcohol drinking session; alcohol drinking session; two-week field period; and a follow-up appointment. Participation in this study will last approximately two months.

Enrollment: 110 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 21 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Be able to read/write English and complete study assessments
• Drink alcohol regularly

Exclusion criteria

• Test positive on a urine test for use of certain illegal drugs
• Undergraduate student enrolled at the University of Florida
• Graduate students from the College of Health and Human Performance at the University of Florida
• Pregnant, or currently breast feeding

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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110 participants in 3 patient groups

Smartphone breathalyzer device & app

Experimental group

Description:

This is a small device that connects to a smartphone with an accompanying app that produces accurate breath alcohol readings when a user blows into a small tube attached to the device. Participants randomized to this study condition will have the opportunity to use this device and app during an alcohol drinking session in an actual bar and during a two-week field period.

Treatment:

Other: Smartphone breathalyzer device/app use

BAC estimator app

Experimental group

Description:

This is an app that produces estimated blood alcohol content (eBAC) readings based on sex, weight, number of drinks and time taken to consume drinks. Participants randomized to this study condition will have the opportunity to use this app during an alcohol drinking session in an actual bar and during a two-week field period.

Treatment:

Other: BAC estimator app use

Text Messaging

Experimental group

Description:

A procedure whereby one sends a text message to the phone one is using after each alcoholic drink. Participants randomized to this study condition will have the opportunity to the text messaging procedure during an alcohol drinking session in an actual bar and during a two-week field period.

Treatment:

Other: Text messaging procedure