Using dynamic visual noise to reduce alcohol cravings and drinking in college students
A Theory-Informed Examination of a Brief Visuospatial Intervention and Its Mechanisms for Reducing Alcohol Cravings and Consumption
This study will test whether watching brief moving black-and-white square videos (dynamic visual noise) can lower alcohol cravings and drinking in college students who experience cravings at least once a week.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 62 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 29 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Wyoming Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Laramie, Wyoming) |
| Trial ID | NCT07157124 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
College students aged 18–29 who drink at least once per week and report weekly alcohol cravings come to the lab for a baseline visit and are then assigned to watch either dynamic visual noise (DVN) — a short video of rapidly moving black-and-white squares — or static visual noise (SVN), a still image of the same pattern. Participants watch their assigned DVN or SVN each day for seven days and complete daily follow-ups for six days after the baseline visit. Researchers measure self-reported cravings and alcohol consumption and test whether changes in attentional bias toward alcohol explain any observed effects. SVN serves as an active control because it has been used previously as a control condition in related work.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are 18–29-year-old college students who drink alcohol at least once per week, experience cravings at least weekly, have consumed beer or alcoholic seltzers in the past month, are not seeking other alcohol treatment in the next 30 days, and have access to a computer and an internet-enabled personal device.
Not a fit: People with major visual impairments (including color blindness or legal blindness), a history of seizures, diagnosed cognitive impairment, those who do not meet the drinking/craving frequency criteria, or those beginning other alcohol treatment are unlikely to benefit or are ineligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a low-cost, non-drug tool that students can use on their own devices to briefly reduce alcohol cravings and drinking.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have used DVN with SVN as a control and reported preliminary reductions in attentional bias and craving, but the evidence is limited and mixed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Must report being between the age of 18 and 29 2. Must report drinking alcohol at least once per week on average over the past month 3. Must report having drank beer or alcoholic seltzers in the past month 4. Must endorse experiencing craving at least once per week over the past month, on average 5. Must report not currently receiving nor planning to seek any other treatment for their alcohol use within the next 30 days 6. Must report owning a personal electronic device with access to the Internet 7. Must report owning or having access to a computer with access to the Internet Exclusion Criteria: 1. Major visual impairment (i.e., legal blindness or color blindness) 2. History of seizures and/or diagnosed seizure disorder 3. Current medical diagnosis provided by a qualified professional (i.e., psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist) that is characterized by cognitive impairment (i.e., neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury, traumatic brain injury, HIV infection, post-concussive syndrome, and intellectual disability) 4. Concussion in the past month 5. A current diagnosis of any substance use disorder besides alcohol use disorder, as determined by a qualified professional (i.e., psychologist, psychiatrist)
Where this trial is running
Laramie, Wyoming
- University of Wyoming — Laramie, Wyoming, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Emma Winterlind, MPS
- Email: ewinterl@uwyo.edu
- Phone: 307-314-2177
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.