Trial Outcomes & Findings for Evaluations of Alcohol Warning Labels (NCT NCT06129487)

NCT ID: NCT06129487

Last Updated: 2025-11-14

Results Overview

Dwell time measures the total duration of attention to an area of interest (AOI). Each warning label consisted of two AOIs: image AOI and text AOI. Dwell time for each AOI was averaged across three PWLs within each arm.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

1053 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Assessed during the one-time 15-minute online survey experiment.

Results posted on

2025-11-14

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Overall Study
STARTED
526
527
Overall Study
COMPLETED
328
321
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
198
206

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Overall Study
Data loss was due to technical issues related to eye tracking.
198
206

Baseline Characteristics

Evaluations of Alcohol Warning Labels

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=328 Participants
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=321 Participants
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Total
n=649 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
38.68 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.66 • n=10 Participants
40.41 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.15 • n=10 Participants
39.54 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.93 • n=20 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Sex at birth · Female
152 Participants
n=10 Participants
131 Participants
n=10 Participants
283 Participants
n=20 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Sex at birth · Male
174 Participants
n=10 Participants
188 Participants
n=10 Participants
362 Participants
n=20 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Sex at birth · Prefer not to say
2 Participants
n=10 Participants
2 Participants
n=10 Participants
4 Participants
n=20 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
41 Participants
n=10 Participants
42 Participants
n=10 Participants
83 Participants
n=20 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
287 Participants
n=10 Participants
279 Participants
n=10 Participants
566 Participants
n=20 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=10 Participants
0 Participants
n=10 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
3 Participants
n=10 Participants
1 Participants
n=10 Participants
4 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
18 Participants
n=10 Participants
17 Participants
n=10 Participants
35 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
1 Participants
n=10 Participants
1 Participants
n=10 Participants
2 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
39 Participants
n=10 Participants
44 Participants
n=10 Participants
83 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
251 Participants
n=10 Participants
238 Participants
n=10 Participants
489 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
16 Participants
n=10 Participants
20 Participants
n=10 Participants
36 Participants
n=20 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=10 Participants
0 Participants
n=10 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Assessed during the one-time 15-minute online survey experiment.

Population: Sticky's internal algorithms determined cases where the eye tracking data is less than "perfect" and only returns "usable" data. Thus, only usable eye tracking data were analyzed.

Dwell time measures the total duration of attention to an area of interest (AOI). Each warning label consisted of two AOIs: image AOI and text AOI. Dwell time for each AOI was averaged across three PWLs within each arm.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=192 Participants
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=213 Participants
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Dwell Time
8.75 seconds
Standard Error 0.069
8.47 seconds
Standard Error 0.066

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Assessed during the one-time 15-minute online survey experiment.

Population: Sticky's internal algorithms determined cases where the eye tracking data is less than "perfect" and only returns "usable" data. Thus, only usable eye tracking data were analyzed.

Visit count measures the total number of times participants viewed an area of interest (AOI). Each warning label consisted of two AOIs: image AOI and text AOI. Visit count for each AOI was averaged across three PWLs within each arm.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=192 Participants
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=213 Participants
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Visit Count
13.74 visit
Standard Error 0.443
13.58 visit
Standard Error 0.420

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Assessed during the one-time 15-minute online survey experiment.

Reactance were measured after exposure to each PWL (i.e., three times in total). It was assessed using the brief Reactance to Health Warnings Scale (Hall et al., 2017). Participants were asked to indicate how much each warning tried to manipulate them, annoyed them, and was overblown (1 = not at all, 5 = a great deal). Reactance for each PWL was averaged across three PWLs within each arm.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=327 Participants
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=318 Participants
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Reactance
2.38 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.055
2.54 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.055

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Assessed during the one-time 15-minute online survey experiment.

Affective risk perceptions were assessed once after participants viewed all three PWLs. Participants were asked to indicate how worried they are about getting a specific type of cancer if they keep drinking the amount of alcohol like they do now. Participants responded on a five-point scale (1 = Not at all worried, 2=Slightly worried, 3=Moderately worried, 4=Very worried, 5=Extremely worried).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=328 Participants
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=321 Participants
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Affective Risk Perceptions
2.27 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.062
2.38 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.063

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Assessed during the one-time 15-minute online survey experiment.

Experiential risk perceptions were assessed once after participants viewed all three PWLs. Participants were asked to indicate how vulnerable they feel about getting a specific type of cancer if they keep drinking the amount of alcohol like they do now. Participants responded on a five-point scale (1 = Not at all vulnerable, 2=Slightly vulnerable, 3=Moderately vulnerable, 4=Very vulnerable, 5=Extremely vulnerable).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=328 Participants
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=321 Participants
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Experiential Risk Perceptions
2.35 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.058
2.46 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.058

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Assessed during the one-time 15-minute online survey experiment.

Perceived susceptibility were assessed once after participants viewed all three PWLs. Participants were asked to indicate how likely it is that they will get a specific type of cancer if they keep drinking the amount of alcohol like they do now. Participants responded on a five-point scale (1 = Not at all likely, 2=A little likely, 3=Somewhat likely, 4=Very likely, 5=Extremely likely).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=328 Participants
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=321 Participants
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Perceived Susceptibility
2.072 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.053
2.102 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.054

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Assessed during the one-time 15-minute online survey experiment.

Comparative risk were assessed once after participants viewed all three PWLs. Participants were asked to indicate compared to an average person their age, race, and sex, how likely do they think they will get a specific type of cancer if they keep drinking the amount of alcohol like they do now. Participants responded on a five-point scale (1=Much less likely, 2=Less likely, 3=About as likely, 4=More likely, 5=Much more likely).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=328 Participants
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=321 Participants
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Comparative Risk
2.71 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.056
2.85 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.057

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Assessed during the one-time 15-minute online survey experiment.

Perceived severity of harm were assessed once after participants viewed all three PWLs. Participants were asked to indicate how much getting a specific type of cancer because of drinking would affect their life. Participants responded on a five-point scale (1=Not at all, 2=Very little, 3=Somewhat, 4=Quite a bit, 5=A great deal).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=328 Participants
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=321 Participants
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Perceived Severity of Harm
4.47 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.05
4.55 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.05

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Assessed during the one-time 15-minute online survey experiment.

Intentions to reduce drinking were assessed once after participants viewed all three PWLs. Participants were asked to answer questions such as "How interested are you in reducing drinking in the next 6 months?" Participants responded to these questions on an appropriately labeled 5-point scale (e.g., 1 = Not at all interested, 2=Slightly interested, 3=Moderately interested, 4=Very interested, 5=Extremely interested).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=328 Participants
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=321 Participants
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Intentions to Reduce Drinking
3.08 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.05
3.14 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.05

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Assessed during the one-time 15-minute online survey experiment.

Intentions to stop drinking were assessed once after participants viewed all three PWLs. Participants were asked to answer three questions such as "How interested are you in stopping drinking in the next 6 months?" Participants responded to these questions on an appropriately labeled 5-point scale (e.g., 1 = Not at all interested, 2=Slightly interested, 3=Moderately interested, 4=Very interested, 5=Extremely interested).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=328 Participants
Participants in this arm were presented with three narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Narrative PWLs included a photo showing the lived experiences of individuals affected by alcohol-related cancer (e.g., a headshot of a man with a misshapen jaw) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels
n=321 Participants
Participants in this arm will be presented with three non-narrative pictorial warning labels (PWLs) for alcoholic beverages. Non-narrative PWLs contained graphic images of diseased organs (e.g., a closeup image of a mouth with rotten teeth and oral thrush) and a text warning statement (e.g., WARNING: Drinking alcohol can cause oral cancer). The warnings focused on oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers, respectively.
Intentions to Stop Drinking
2.26 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.068
2.37 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.069

Adverse Events

Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Non-Narrative Pictorial Warning Labels

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

Zexin Ma, Ph.D.

University of Connecticut

Phone: (860) 486-6871

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place