Clinical Research Directory

Using CBPR to Engage Hazardous Drinking Women in the HIV Prevention and Care Continuum

Unhealthy alcohol use among women with and at risk for HIV can interrupt critical steps in the HIV prevention and care continuum, is associated with HIV transmission risk behaviors, and contributes to health disparities. Thus it is critical to accurately identify alcohol use and implement alcohol interventions among women with and at risk for HIV to optimize health outcomes. The proposed pilot study will examine the implementation and effects of a computer delivered brief alcohol intervention with peer navigation/Community Health Worker compared to usual care on alcohol use, linkage to health services, and uptake of HIV prevention practices.

Alcohol and the Social Brain: An Alcohol-Administration Hyperscanning Study Employing a Within-Subject Design

The study investigates the effects of alcohol consumption on social and individual behaviors using a within-subject design. Participants, aged 21-30, will attend two laboratory sessions approximately one week apart, participating as part of a dyad (pair). During one session, they will consume an alcoholic beverage, while in the other, they will receive a control beverage, with the order of conditions randomized. This design facilitates direct within-participant comparisons of behaviors and neural activity in intoxicated versus sober states. To achieve these aims, the study employs EEG technology to explore intra-brain and inter-brain dynamics during social interactions. Additionally, validated self-report questionnaires will capture data on mood, social bonding, and other psychological variables. The findings are expected to enhance understanding of alcohol's role in social reward processes and contribute to developing evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies for alcohol use disorder.

Sleep as a Mechanism of Change in Alcohol Use

This project aims to evaluate improvement of insomnia as a mechanism of improvement in alcohol use outcomes.

Game Plan: Efficacy of a Brief, Web-based Intervention on Alcohol Use and Sexually-transmitted Infections

The proposed study involves conducting a larger-scale study exploring Game Plan's effects among MSM in the real-world, alongside innovative approaches for expanding HIV testing. Using a hybrid 1 effectiveness-implementation approach, the investigators will recruit up to 360 high-risk, heavy drinking MSM online from several high-incidence areas in the US to participate in a program providing home-based HIV/STI self-tests in the mail at regular intervals over a year (baseline, 6 months, 12 months). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive access to either (1) a 24-hour helpline for counseling/referrals, or (2) the helpline plus Game Plan. Investigators will test whether those who use Game Plan show lower rates of heavy drinking, any STIs, and high-risk CAS events compared to those receiving access to the helpline alone.

Behavioral Alcohol Responses (BAR) Study

This study aims to identify risk factors that prospectively predict alcohol problems in young adults.

Alcohol and the Social Brain: an Alcohol-Administration Hyperscanning Study

In this study, the investigators aim to capture inter- and intra-brain mechanisms underlying alcohol reward in novel social context.

Preventing Alcohol Use Disorders and Alcohol-Related Harms in Pacific Islander Young Adults

This study will: (1) refine and finalize the SPEAR intervention manual for preventing alcohol use disorders (AUD) and associated harms for Pacific Islander young adults; and (2) test SPEAR for efficacy by conducting a pretest-posttest randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Patient Trajectories for Older Adults Admitted to Hospital for Alcohol-related Problems

Alcohol is contributing to many health problems and disorders, as well as accidents and social problems. Alcohol consumption has been on the rise the past 25 years, especially in Norway. The highest increase is found in older adults, in line with the development in most other countries in the western world. Older adults have a higher risk for alcohol related health problems, due to age related physiological changes, medical conditions and medications. Still, alcohol use is seldom addressed for older people. This means that older people rarely receive help to change alcohol habits. Norwegian health authorities have issued mandates ordering the regional health trusts to implement strategies in somatic hospital wards, mental health services and drug treatment services to identify and treat alcohol and drug problems affecting the patients' health. In this observational study we will explore patient trajectories three years prior to and three years after an admittance to hospital where risky or harmful alcohol consumption is identified and brief interventions are delivered. Hospitals that have implemented such strategies are invited to the study. Patient trajectories are studied in national health registries. This will provide important knowledge on what characterizes the patients identified, and what happens after they have received a brief intervention related to a hospital admittance.