A Pilot Study of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation to Boost the Efficacy of Psychotherapy in a Community Sample of People Who Drink Alcohol
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation to Boost the Efficacy of Motivational Interviewing
The Mind Research Network
75 participants
Sep 1, 2020
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
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.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria4
- Self-identify as having problem drinking
- Right-handed
- Age 21-60 years
- AUDIT score indicating risky drinking
Exclusion Criteria12
- 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
Interested in this trial?
Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.
Interventions
High-density electrode configuration with transcranial alternating current stimulation in the beta (15-40Hz) frequency range
High-density electrode configuration with sham stimulation
Motivational interviewing session focused on alcohol use, approximately 30 minutes in length
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT04770025