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Episodic Future Thinking for Alcohol Use Disorder (RP1A Trial)

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Warren K Bickel, PhD

Research Sponsored by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

21-65 years of age

Be older than 18 years old

Must not have

Current diagnosis of any psychotic disorder

History of seizure disorders or traumatic brain injury

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up pre-post intervention

Summary

This trial is testing whether a method called episodic future thinking (EFT) can reduce alcohol self-administration in the laboratory, as well as reduce delay discounting and alcohol craving.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for adults aged 21-65 with alcohol use disorder who want to reduce their drinking but aren't planning on treatment during the study. They must enjoy a drink that's used in the study and not be pregnant, breastfeeding, or have brain injuries, seizures, severe drug disorders (except for alcohol, nicotine, marijuana), or psychotic disorders.

What is being tested?

The trial tests Episodic Future Thinking (EFT) against Control Episodic Thinking (CET). EFT involves imagining positive future events in detail to potentially reduce immediate desire for alcohol. The effects on actual drinking behavior and brain activity related to decision-making and future planning will be studied.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this intervention involves psychological exercises rather than medication, traditional side effects are not expected. However, participants may experience emotional discomfort while engaging in introspective thinking tasks.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I am between 21 and 65 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder.

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I have had seizures or a serious head injury.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ fmri session will occur at either session 2 or session 3 based on counterbalance assignment. s2 occurs up to 7 days post s1 and s3 occurs up to 7 days post s2.

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~fmri session will occur at either session 2 or session 3 based on counterbalance assignment. s2 occurs up to 7 days post s1 and s3 occurs up to 7 days post s2.

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and fmri session will occur at either session 2 or session 3 based on counterbalance assignment. s2 occurs up to 7 days post s1 and s3 occurs up to 7 days post s2. for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Change in Alcohol Craving (Studies 1 and 2)

Change in Alcohol Demand (Studies 1 and 2)

Change in Delay Discounting (Studies 1 and 2)

+4 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Placebo Group

Group I: Episodic Future Thinking (EFT)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants will generate positive future events they are looking forward to at five time points in the future (1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 5 years, and 25 years). Participants will be reminded of these events using cues throughout the study and instructed to think about these cues as they make their decisions.

Group II: Control Episodic Thinking (CET)Placebo Group1 Intervention

Participants will generate positive recent past events that have happened to them at five time points in the recent past (last night from 7pm-10pm, yesterday between 4pm-7pm, yesterday between 1pm-4pm, yesterday from 10am-12pm, yesterday between 7am-10am, the night before last between 7pm-10pm, and evening before last between 4pm-7pm). Participants will be reminded of these events using cues throughout the study and instructed to think about these cues as they make their decisions.

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Episodic Future Thinking

2018

N/A

~460

0 / 3Eligibility criteria met