Motivational interviewing chatbot to help high-risk drinkers cut back on alcohol

Evaluating the Clinical Effectiveness of a Motivational Interviewing-Based Conversational Mobile Application for High-Risk Drinkers

This project tests whether a motivational interviewing chatbot app can help adults who drink at high risk reduce their alcohol use over four weeks.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 220 (estimated)
• Ages: 19 Years to 59 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Yonsei University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Seoul, Seoul)
• Trial ID: NCT07238998 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized controlled trial using a waitlist control design to compare alcohol reduction between users of a motivational interviewing-based conversational mobile app and non-users. After screening with a clinical interview and AUDIT, 220 eligible participants will be randomized 1:1 to the intervention or control group. The intervention group will use the chatbot on an Android smartphone for four weeks with assessments at baseline, week 4, and week 16, while the control group completes the same assessments before using the app after week 16 and a final follow-up at week 20. The primary focus is the degree of alcohol reduction measured following the four-week intervention and at subsequent follow-ups.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 19–59 with AUDIT scores of 8 or higher who want to reduce their drinking, can read Korean, and own and use an Android smartphone are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who are pregnant or planning pregnancy, have impaired decision-making, are already in alcohol treatment or counseling, cannot use Android apps, or require more intensive medical care are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the app could give people an accessible, remote way to reduce harmful drinking without needing frequent clinic visits.

How similar studies have performed: Related digital brief interventions and motivational interviewing approaches have shown modest success reducing alcohol use, though fully conversational MI chatbots remain a relatively new and less-tested approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals aged 19 to 59 years who are capable of providing valid written informed consent.
2. Individuals who meet the definition of high-risk drinking (AUDIT score ≥ 8).3.- Individuals who express a desire to reduce their alcohol consumption.
3. Individuals who own and use an Android smartphone (version 8 or higher).
4. Individuals who have no difficulty using mobile applications.
5. Individuals who are able to communicate adequately with the research team.
6. Individuals who fully understand the study procedures and voluntarily agree to participate.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals who are unable to read or understand the consent form (e.g., illiterate individuals, non-Korean speakers).
2. Individuals with impaired decision-making capacity.
3. Pregnant individuals or those planning to become pregnant during the study period.
4. Individuals who are currently participating in another clinical study.
5. Individuals who are receiving treatment or counseling for alcohol-related problems.
6. Individuals who use two or more mobile phones.
7. Individuals who are expected to change their mobile phone or SIM card, or who plan to travel 8. abroad during the intervention period.
8. Any individual deemed inappropriate for study participation at the discretion of the investigator.

Where this trial is running

Seoul, Seoul

• Severance Hospital — Seoul, Seoul, South Korea (Recruiting)

Conditions Alcohol Drinking; High-Risk Drinking Patterns