Picking meaningful outcomes for behavioral treatments for alcohol and drug problems
Optimal Endpoints in Clinical Trials of Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for AOD: An Aggregate and Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis
This project looks across many trials to find which outcomes best reflect benefits of cognitive-behavioral therapies for people with alcohol or other drug problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145838 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are combining results from about 100 past trials plus newer trials to see which measures best show real benefit from cognitive-behavioral and relapse-prevention treatments. They will pull together published results and request individual participant data so they can run advanced analyses, including network meta-analysis and individual participant data meta-analysis. The team will compare traditional measures like abstinence and heavy use with functional outcomes people care about, such as related problems, coping skills, and mental and general health. The work aims to recommend outcome measures that better match patients' priorities and the definition of recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Results will be most relevant to people with alcohol or other drug use disorders, including adolescents and adults who have received cognitive-behavioral or relapse-prevention therapies.
Not a fit: People whose care does not involve behavioral therapies (for example, only medication-based treatment) or those without substance use concerns may see less direct benefit from the findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, future treatment trials may use outcomes that matter more to patients, guiding better care and clearer definitions of recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous meta-analyses have shown cognitive-behavioral approaches can reduce substance use and the team has prior related work, but using individual participant data and network meta-analysis to define optimal functional endpoints is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Brown University — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Magill, Molly — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Magill, Molly
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 below.