A Pilot Study of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation to Boost the Efficacy of Psychotherapy in a Community Sample of People Who Drink Alcohol

Description

The goal of this small (n=75) proof-of-concept randomized clinical trial is to test the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) during motivational interviewing (MI) sessions with participants who drink at above the low-risk level. Participants will be randomized to receive either MI with active stimulation, MI with sham stimulation, or a delayed treatment group that receives MI with no stimulation. Measures will include brain imaging, alcohol use, cannabis use, risk-taking behavior, emotions, and others. Participants who are randomized to the delayed-treatment group will not receive brain imaging.

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this small (n=75) proof-of-concept randomized clinical trial is to test the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) during motivational interviewing (MI) sessions with participants who drink at above the low-risk level. Participants will be randomized to receive either MI with active stimulation, MI with sham stimulation, or a delayed treatment group that receives MI with no stimulation. Measures will include brain imaging, alcohol use, cannabis use, risk-taking behavior, emotions, and others. Participants who are randomized to the delayed-treatment group will not receive brain imaging.

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation to Boost the Efficacy of Motivational Interviewing

A Pilot Study of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation to Boost the Efficacy of Psychotherapy in a Community Sample of People Who Drink Alcohol

Condition
Alcohol Use Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Albuquerque

The Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, 87106

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Self-identify as having problem drinking
  • * Right-handed
  • * Age 21-60 years
  • * AUDIT score indicating risky drinking
  • * Left-handed or ambidextrous
  • * Currently engaged in treatment for alcohol use disorder
  • * Receiving treatment for alcohol use disorder within the prior 12 months
  • * History of brain injury or neurological diagnosis
  • * Evidence of current psychosis
  • * Past-year substance use disorder other than alcohol, marijuana, or nicotine
  • * Current or history of severe alcohol withdrawal
  • * MRI/tACS contraindications including pregnancy
  • * Impaired hearing (psychotherapy using American Sign Language is not possible within the scope of the proposed study)
  • * Insufficient corrected visual acuity to complete the assessment instruments
  • * Unable to read/speak English fluently
  • * Unable to provide valid informed consent

Ages Eligible for Study

21 Years to 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

The Mind Research Network,

Study Record Dates

2025-02-28