Identifying Multiple Mechanisms of Change in Alcoholism Treatment

NCT ID: NCT01168960

Last Updated: 2014-12-03

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE4

Total Enrollment

61 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2010-01-31

Study Completion Date

2012-08-31

Brief Summary

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Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for alcohol dependence, but little is known about how CBT works to achieve these effects. Although several possible mechanisms have been proposed to explain the effects of CBT, it is rare that more than one mechanism is studied. However, it may be the case that similar outcomes (e.g., abstinence) may be reached through multiple paths. Therefore, essential to conducting work on behavioral change mechanisms is distinguishing different courses or paths and moderating influences (Kazdin, 2007). In the present study, we will focus on 2 key mechanisms posited to underlie the effectiveness of CBT specifically, increasing self-efficacy and self-confidence and reducing positive outcome expectancies for alcohol use, and 2 key mechanisms posited to underlie the effectiveness of a wide range of therapeutic interventions, increasing the therapeutic alliance and reducing/regulating negative emotional states. For the present study, participants will be 72 alcohol dependent men and women who agree to participate in a 12-week trial of CBT for alcohol dependence. In addition, comprehensive research assessments will be conducted with patients at baseline, end of treatment, and 3-months posttreatment.

Specific Aim 1. To examine the within-treatment week-to-week relationship between ratings of 4 key therapeutic mechanisms and alcohol involvement (operationalized as percent days abstinent {PDA} and drinks per drinking day {DDD}) during treatment. It is hypothesized that self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, therapeutic alliance (as rated by the patient and therapist), and negative affect assessed after any given treatment session will each predict alcohol involvement during the following week. Exploratory analyses also will investigate the relationship of a given week's alcohol involvement on each of the four key variables as assessed the following week.

Specific Aim 2. To examine profiles of the four key mechanisms over the course of treatment in relation to alcohol involvement during treatment and during the 3-month follow-up period. These analyses will be descriptive/exploratory. It is expected that profiles will emerge with the key mechanisms that are associated with decreased alcohol involvement (for example, when the alliance is relatively strong throughout treatment or when the alliance grows stronger over the course of treatment, or when positive outcome expectancies grow weaker over the course of treatment, etc.). Similarly, it is hypothesized that profiles will emerge that are associated with little improvement in alcohol involvement (for example, when negative affect is relatively high throughout treatment or when self-efficacy weakens over the course of treatment).

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Alcohol Dependence

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Cognitive Behavioral Treatment

A single intervention study

Group Type OTHER

Cognitive behavioral therapy for alcohol dependence

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

12-session behavioral treatment that incorporates behavioral skills training targeting high-risk drinking behavior.

Interventions

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Cognitive behavioral therapy for alcohol dependence

12-session behavioral treatment that incorporates behavioral skills training targeting high-risk drinking behavior.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Alcohol Dependent; live within commuting distance of program site; willing to sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

* Diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder; present with gross neurocognitive impairment; have a current drug use diagnosis other than nicotine or marijuana abuse; have been in substance abuse treatment over the previous 6 months.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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State University of New York at Buffalo

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Paul Stasiewicz

Senior Research Scientist

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Paul R. Stasiewicz, Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University at Buffalo

Locations

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Research Institue on Addictions

Buffalo, New York, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Kazdin AE. Mediators and mechanisms of change in psychotherapy research. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2007;3:1-27. doi: 10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.3.022806.091432.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17716046 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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5RC1AA018986

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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