Gamified App for Alcohol Abuse Prevention
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial examines the effectiveness of a new smartphone app designed to help women manage alcohol use and improve mental well-being. The app provides interactive features, personalized feedback, and access to educational resources about health and coping strategies. Participants are divided into two groups: one uses the full app, while the other accesses only the educational resources online for the first year. Women in the U.S. aged 18 to 59 who are willing to use the app may be suitable for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance mental well-being and alcohol management strategies.
Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that this gamified app is safe for use in alcohol abuse prevention?
Research has shown that social apps designed like games to prevent alcohol abuse are generally easy to use. In similar studies, participants have used apps that provide personalized feedback and include social media-like features. These apps aim to help people reduce drinking and avoid related problems. The studies found no major negative effects from using these apps, suggesting they are safe.
Additionally, research indicates that these apps effectively engage users without causing harm. One study with a similar app reported no major safety issues, and users found the app helpful for managing their drinking. This suggests that the app under study is likely safe for participants.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the gamified app for alcohol abuse prevention because it offers a novel approach by using gamified personalized normative feedback (PNF) and interactive social features. Unlike traditional methods like counseling or medication, this app aims to correct misperceived norms about alcohol use through engaging, game-like interactions and community support. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive psychoeducational resource library, making health information more accessible and interactive. This innovative combination of gamification and education could empower women to make healthier choices and improve their overall well-being.
What evidence suggests that this gamified app is effective for alcohol abuse prevention?
Research has shown that apps designed like games can change how people think about alcohol and reduce drinking. In this trial, participants in one arm will use a fully featured gamified app that offers personalized feedback and educational resources. Studies on similar apps have found they help users drink less by providing personalized feedback, such as comparing habits to others, and educational resources. For example, one study found that 19% of users stopped drinking alcohol after using such an app. These apps aim to correct misunderstandings about social drinking norms, often leading to healthier choices. While specific data on this new app is limited, past research has shown this approach to be promising.12467
Who Is on the Research Team?
Sarah C Boyle, PhD
Principal Investigator
Loyola Marymount University
Joseph W. LaBrie, PhD
Principal Investigator
Loyola Marymount University
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for biological females aged 18 to 59 who live in the United States, have downloaded a specific health app, received an invitation to join the study, and agreed to participate after reviewing consent information.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants use the fully featured app or a limited feature psychoeducational control version during a 3-month intervention period
Follow-up
Participants complete follow-up surveys immediately following the intervention period, as well as at 6 and 9 months post-baseline
Feasibility Analysis
App-related behaviors of users not in the RCT are observed to address feasibility questions related to app engagement, sustainability of use, and overall acceptability
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Gamified Social App Supporting Womens' Health & Well-being
Trial Overview
The study compares two approaches: one group gets access only to educational resources about alcohol and mental health, while the other uses a gamified social smartphone app designed to support women's health and well-being.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Participants randomized to this arm are assigned to Heat 2 where their app use is delayed by 12 months. During Heat 1 (March-December 2026), they are locked out of the app and only have access to a web version of the psychoeducational resource library.
Participants randomized to this arm are invited to use the fully featured app for a period of 3 months between March and December 2026 (Heat 1). The app includes interactive social community features and delivers gamified personalized normative feedback (PNF) on a weekly basis designed to correct misperceived norms for alcohol use, coping behaviors, other health behaviors, and other experiences of interest to this population (relationships, etc). The app also has a psychoeducational resource library containing health and mental health supportive articles and PNF screens also link to psychoeducational resource pages on corresponding topics.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Loyola Marymount University
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Collaborator
Citations
NCT07546604 | Feasibility and Effectiveness of Gamified ...
... alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and psychological well-being. ... As all users consent to use of their basic app data for ...
A Gamified, Social Media–Inspired, Web-Based Personalized ...
Sexual minority women are more likely to drink alcohol, engage in heavy drinking, and experience alcohol-related problems than heterosexual women.
A Gamified, Social Media Inspired Personalized Normative ...
Sexual minority women in the United States are more likely to drink alcohol, engage in heavy drinking, and experience alcohol-related problems than are ...
Feasibility and Effectiveness of Gamified Digital Intervention to ...
... application on alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and psychological well-being ... As all users consent to use of their basic app data ...
Gamified App for Alcohol Abuse Prevention
... Health, Mental Health and Alcohol Abuse Prevention. Learn ... alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and psychological well-being.
“A tool in a toolbox”: patient engagement with a ... - PMC
“A tool in a toolbox”: patient engagement with a gamified and personalised approach bias modification app to reduce harmful alcohol consumption ...
A Gamified Personalized Normative Feedback App to ...
Yes, of the 1337 LezParlay users who completed the round where alcohol use was first assessed, 254 (19%) reported no alcohol consumption or ...
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