Trial Outcomes & Findings for Decreasing the Temporal Window in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder (NCT NCT04128761)

Last Updated: 2025-12-17

Results Overview

DD rates were measured using an adjusting amount task where participants were presented with hypothetical choices between smaller immediate or larger later amounts of money after a range of delays (1 day-25 years). Individual indifference points were calculated for each delay and then used to estimate DD rates for each participant using Mazur's (1987) equation: V = A/(1+kD), where V is the value of the indifference point, A is the amount of the larger delayed reward, k is the discounting rate, and D is the delay. Discounting rates (k) were then natural-logarithmically transformed (ln(k)). Higher ln(k) indicates steeper discounting and greater reward devaluation with increases in delay, while a lower ln(k) reflects shallower discounting and less reward devaluation with increases in delay. Changes in ln(k) were compared within-subjects between S1 and S2. Average ln(k) was calculated for each session (S1 and S2) in each condition (scarcity or neutral).

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

Target enrollment

124 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

At the first session (S1; baseline measures) and Session 2 (S2; occurs approximately 2-3 days after S1)

Results posted on

2025-12-17

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure	Scarcity Narrative Participants assigned to the scarcity group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a sudden loss of resources. Scarcity Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical scarcity narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.	Neutral Narrative Participants assigned to the neutral group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a neutral change in resources. Neutral Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical neutral narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.
Overall Study STARTED	62	62
Overall Study COMPLETED	57	56
Overall Study NOT COMPLETED	5	6

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure	Scarcity Narrative Participants assigned to the scarcity group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a sudden loss of resources. Scarcity Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical scarcity narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.	Neutral Narrative Participants assigned to the neutral group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a neutral change in resources. Neutral Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical neutral narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.
Overall Study Lost to Follow-up	5	6

Baseline Characteristics

Decreasing the Temporal Window in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure	Scarcity Narrative n=40 Participants Participants assigned to the scarcity group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a sudden loss of resources. Scarcity Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical scarcity narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.	Neutral Narrative n=45 Participants Participants assigned to the neutral group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a neutral change in resources. Neutral Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical neutral narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.	Total n=85 Participants Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical <=18 years	0 Participants n=6 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical Between 18 and 65 years	39 Participants n=6 Participants	44 Participants n=5 Participants	83 Participants n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical >=65 years	1 Participants n=6 Participants	1 Participants n=5 Participants	2 Participants n=5 Participants
Age, Continuous	42.27 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.22 • n=6 Participants	42.84 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.54 • n=5 Participants	42.58 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.80 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male Female	23 Participants n=6 Participants	27 Participants n=5 Participants	50 Participants n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male Male	17 Participants n=6 Participants	18 Participants n=5 Participants	35 Participants n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Hispanic or Latino	1 Participants n=6 Participants	3 Participants n=5 Participants	4 Participants n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Not Hispanic or Latino	39 Participants n=6 Participants	42 Participants n=5 Participants	81 Participants n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported	0 Participants n=6 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment United States	40 Participants n=6 Participants	45 Participants n=5 Participants	85 Participants n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: At the first session (S1; baseline measures) and Session 2 (S2; occurs approximately 2-3 days after S1)

Population: A total of 124 participants enrolled in the study, with 112 participants (the proposed sample size) completing both sessions. We had additional attrition in the data inspection stage. Participants were included in the analyses if they: 1) completed both sessions, and 2) passed all attention checks programmed in the surveys for both sessions.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Scarcity Narrative n=40 Participants Participants assigned to the scarcity group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a sudden loss of resources. Scarcity Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical scarcity narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.	Neutral Narrative n=45 Participants Participants assigned to the neutral group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a neutral change in resources. Neutral Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical neutral narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.
Delay Discounting (DD) Rates Session 1	-4.69 ln(K-value) Standard Error 0.38	-5.15 ln(K-value) Standard Error 0.38
Delay Discounting (DD) Rates Session 2	-4.92 ln(K-value) Standard Error 0.40	-5.58 ln(K-value) Standard Error 0.37

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: At the first session (S1; baseline measures) and Session 2 (S2; occurs approximately 2-3 days after S1)

Participants completed a hypothetical Alcohol Purchase Task where they had to indicate how many drinks they would purchase at different prices ($0 to $80 per drink). The number of drinks purchased at $0 was used to calculate the intensity of demand. Changes in intensity of alcohol demand were compared within-subjects between Session 1 and Session 2, and between narrative type (scarcity or neutral).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Scarcity Narrative n=40 Participants Participants assigned to the scarcity group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a sudden loss of resources. Scarcity Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical scarcity narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.	Neutral Narrative n=45 Participants Participants assigned to the neutral group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a neutral change in resources. Neutral Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical neutral narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.
Intensity of Alcohol Demand Session 1	14.17 Drinks Standard Error 1.53	16.22 Drinks Standard Error 2.55
Intensity of Alcohol Demand Session 2	11.95 Drinks Standard Error 1.26	14.91 Drinks Standard Error 2.37

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: At the first session (S1; baseline measures) and Session 2 (S2; occurs approximately 2-3 days after S1)

A brief questionnaire (the Alcohol Urges Questionnaire) will be used to assess alcohol craving. The Alcohol Urges Questionnaire is an 8-item survey that produces scores between 8-56, where higher scores indicate greater craving. Change in alcohol craving will be compared within-subjects between Session 1 and Session 2. The scores will be compared between groups (arms) across sessions.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Scarcity Narrative n=40 Participants Participants assigned to the scarcity group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a sudden loss of resources. Scarcity Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical scarcity narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.	Neutral Narrative n=45 Participants Participants assigned to the neutral group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a neutral change in resources. Neutral Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical neutral narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.
Change in Alcohol Craving Session 2	32.17 score on a scale Standard Error 2.23	32.58 score on a scale Standard Error 1.83
Change in Alcohol Craving Session 1	34.4 score on a scale Standard Error 1.98	33.11 score on a scale Standard Error 1.87

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Session 2 (occurs approximately 2-3 days after baseline [S1])

The Stress Appraisal Measure will be used to measure acute stress induced by the intervention. This measure is a 28-item survey that produces scores between 28-140, where higher scores indicate greater stress. Change scores were compared between groups during Session 2, to assess differences in stress level as a function of the narrative presented.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Scarcity Narrative n=40 Participants Participants assigned to the scarcity group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a sudden loss of resources. Scarcity Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical scarcity narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.	Neutral Narrative n=45 Participants Participants assigned to the neutral group will be asked to listen and consider a hypothetical narrative about a neutral change in resources. Neutral Narrative: Participants are presented with a hypothetical neutral narrative and asked to listen and consider the scenario.
Change in Stress Appraisal Measure	88.52 score on a scale Standard Error 2.14	73.49 score on a scale Standard Error 2.02

Adverse Events

Scarcity Narrative

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Neutral Narrative

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Stephen LaConte

Virginia Tech

Phone: 5405262008

Email: [email protected]

Results disclosure agreements

Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
Publication restrictions are in place