Phone-based coaching plus location-triggered app messages to reduce risky drinking in young people at risk for HIV
Official title: Evaluation of a Combined Motivational Interviewing and Ecological Momentary Intervention to Reduce Risky Alcohol Use among Individuals Vulnerable to HIV/AIDS
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11110379 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will see whether phone-based coaching combined with a location-aware app can help young adults at risk for HIV drink less and avoid risky sexual behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $675,474 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030487-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110379 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are emerging adults at high risk for HIV who engage in hazardous alcohol use and are willing to use a smartphone app and mobile breathalyzer.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not drink hazardously, are not at elevated risk for HIV, or cannot use a smartphone/GPS or the breathalyzer are unlikely to benefit from joining.
What this research studies
You would be randomly placed into one of three groups: a control group, a 4-week phone-delivered motivational interviewing program (TRAC), or TRAC plus a location-triggered app (TRAC-ER). All participants complete daily surveys about drinking and sexual behavior and use a mobile breathalyzer twice daily. The TRAC-ER app uses GPS to detect when you enter places considered risky and sends messages reminding you of strategies discussed in counseling, then prompts surveys and breathalyzer readings when you leave. Researchers will compare alcohol use and HIV-related risk behaviors across the groups over time to see which approach leads to safer choices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help people reduce hazardous drinking and lower their chances of HIV exposure by providing real-time, personalized support.
How similar studies have gone: Motivational interviewing has reduced drinking in prior studies and pilot work, while combining it with GPS-triggered ecological momentary messaging is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lauckner, Carolyn — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Lauckner, Carolyn
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.