Personalized feedback intervention for reducing hazardous drinking in young adults

Daily Personalized Drinking Feedback Delivered Via Mobile Phone

NA · Brown University · NCT05509218

This study is testing a new way to help young adults aged 18-29 cut down on risky drinking by giving them personalized feedback on their alcohol use through a mobile app, with some participants getting rewards for sharing their daily drinking habits.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment132 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 29 Years
SexAll
SponsorBrown University (other)
Locations1 site (Providence, Rhode Island)
Trial IDNCT05509218 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to test a novel personalized feedback intervention (PFI) designed to reduce hazardous drinking among heavy drinking young adults aged 18-29. Participants will receive personalized feedback on their alcohol consumption and its consequences through a mobile platform, with some receiving monetary incentives for completing daily surveys. The trial will involve randomizing up to 170 participants into three groups: those receiving the PFI with incentives, those receiving the PFI without incentives, and a control group receiving only assessments. The study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of the intervention over a four-week period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are young adults aged 18-29 who engage in heavy episodic drinking and are willing to consider reducing their alcohol intake.

Not a fit: Patients currently undergoing treatment for alcohol or substance use disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce hazardous drinking behaviors among young adults.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using personalized feedback interventions to reduce alcohol consumption, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18-29 years
* Own a smartphone and use it daily
* Heavy episodic drinking (4+/5+ drinks for women/men) at least weekly in past month
* At least one of 10 negative consequences assessed
* at least somewhat willing to consider drinking even a little less than current

Exclusion Criteria:

* current participation in treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder
* participation in an earlier phase of the study
* enrollment in ongoing alcohol studies at the same university

Where this trial is running

Providence, Rhode Island

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Youth Drinking, Alcohol Drinking, young adults, personalized feedback intervention, mobile intervention, alcohol use

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.