Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 25

Motivating bystanders to prevent sexual assault and reduce alcohol use

Official title: RCT of a Combined MI Intervention to Address Bystander Behaviors in the Context of Alcohol Use

Run by University of Nebraska Lincoln · NCT05873413 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new program to see if it can help young adults step in to prevent sexual assault and reduce their alcohol use.

More Alcohol Drinking trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 25 Years
SexAll
Enrollment450 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Nebraska Lincoln
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Lincoln, Nebraska)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 1, 2024
Main results expectedMay 31, 2026
Study endsMay 31, 2026
Registry record updatedApril 22, 2026
Trial IDNCT05873413 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are individuals aged 18-25 who are heavy drinkers and reside in Lancaster and surrounding counties in Nebraska.

Probably not a fit

Patients who do not meet the age or drinking criteria, or those who are not fluent in English, may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a new bystander intervention program called Motivate-the-Bystander (MTB) in encouraging young adults to intervene in sexual risk situations. Participants will be divided into three groups: one receiving the MTB intervention alone, another receiving MTB with an alcohol reduction component, and a control group focused on stress reduction. The study will assess changes in bystander behaviors and alcohol consumption through online measures and virtual reality scenarios. The goal is to determine if the MTB approaches can significantly increase intervention behaviors and decrease alcohol use among participants.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective strategies for preventing sexual violence and reducing harmful drinking behaviors among young adults.

How similar studies have gone: While bystander intervention programs have been implemented before, this specific approach combining bystander motivation with alcohol reduction is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals ages 18-25
* Heavy drinkers (as defined by using the AUDIT)
* English fluency
* Community members from Lancaster and surrounding counties in Nebraska
* Signed and dated consent form
* Stated willingness to comply with study procedures

Exclusion Criteria: This project does not have any pre-determined exclusion criteria beyond the need to meet inclusion criteria for the study.

Where it's running

  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Sarah J Gervais, PhD — University of Nebraska Lincoln
  • Study coordinator: Carrie Murphy
  • Email: carrie.murphy@unl.edu
  • Phone: 4024723772

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.