Understanding Alcohol Use in Young Adults with Wearable Sensors
A prospective examination of TAC features as predictors of consequences and alcohol use disorders
This research looks at how wearable sensors can help us better understand drinking patterns in young adults and predict alcohol-related problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195643 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many young adults experience problems from alcohol misuse, including blackouts and injuries, but it's hard to accurately track drinking with just self-reports. This project uses special watchband-like sensors that measure alcohol levels through the skin in real-time. These sensors can show how quickly alcohol enters the body and how high levels get, which gives a more complete picture than just counting drinks. By studying these sensor readings, we hope to find new ways to identify young adults at risk for alcohol-related issues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Young adults, typically aged 20 or 21 and older, who engage in alcohol consumption and are interested in understanding their drinking patterns would be ideal participants.
Not a fit: Individuals who do not consume alcohol or are not in the young adult age range would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better tools for identifying young adults at risk for alcohol use disorders and related problems, allowing for earlier support.
How similar studies have performed: Pilot work has shown that these wearable sensors can accurately measure alcohol levels and identify drinking patterns, suggesting promise for this approach.
Where this research is happening
University Park, United States
- Pennsylvania State University, the — University Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Russell, Michael Arthur — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Russell, Michael Arthur
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.