Clinical Effectiveness of a Motivational Interviewing-Based Conversational Mobile Application for High-Risk Drinkers

NCT ID: NCT07238998

Last Updated: 2025-12-18

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

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

220 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-12-19

Study Completion Date

2026-04-30

Brief Summary

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This study aims to evaluate and compare the degree of alcohol reduction between high-risk drinkers who use a motivational interviewing-based conversational agent (chatbot) application for four weeks and those in the control group who do not use the application, in order to verify its clinical effectiveness.

Detailed Description

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"This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) employing a waitlist control design to examine the effectiveness of a motivational interviewing-based conversational mobile application for high-risk drinkers.

After obtaining voluntary written consent, participants will complete a screening process that includes a clinical interview (MINI, DSM) and demographic data collection. Those who meet all inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group (n = 110) or the control group (n = 110).

For the intervention group, the total study period is 16 weeks and consists of three visits (week 0, 4, and 16). The control group will participate for 20 weeks and complete four visits (week 0, 4, 16, and 20). The final follow-up assessment for both groups will be conducted via telephone and online.

The intervention group will use the mobile app (chatbot) for 4 weeks beginning on the baseline assessment day (Visit 1). Re-assessments will be conducted at week 4 (Visit 2), marking the end of the intervention period, and again at week 16 (Visit 3), which occurs three months after the intervention.

The control group will not receive any intervention from baseline to week 16 and will complete the same reassessments at week 4 (Visit 2) and week 16 (Visit 3). After the week 16 assessment, the control group will also use the mobile app for 4 weeks and undergo a final evaluation at week 20 (Visit 4), following completion of their intervention period.

This waitlist control design allows for a rigorous comparison of outcomes between the two groups while ensuring that all participants eventually receive access to the intervention, supporting both ethical considerations and improved retention.

Conditions

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Alcohol Drinking High-Risk Drinking Patterns

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Chatbot Intervention Group

Participants assigned to the experimental arm will use a motivational interviewing-based conversational agent (chatbot) mobile application for 4 weeks beginning on the baseline assessment day (Week 0). Reassessments will occur at Week 4, marking the end of the intervention period, and at Week 16, the three-month follow-up. All efficacy analyses comparing the two groups will be conducted over the Week 0-16 evaluation period.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Motivational Interviewing-Based Conversational Agent (Mobile Chatbot)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the experimental arm will use a motivational interviewing-based conversational agent (mobile chatbot) for 4 weeks starting on the baseline assessment day (Week 0). The intervention provides daily interactive dialogues, personalized feedback, goal-setting guidance, and behavior change strategies based on motivational interviewing principles. Participants are encouraged to complete daily sessions designed to enhance motivation, support self-monitoring, and reduce high-risk alcohol consumption.

Waitlist Control Group

Participants assigned to the waitlist control arm will not receive any intervention during the primary evaluation period (Week 0-16). They will undergo the same reassessments as the intervention group at Week 4 and Week 16. After completing the Week 16 follow-up, participants in the control arm will be offered the same 4-week chatbot intervention for ethical considerations, followed by a final assessment at Week 20. However, this post-Week-16 intervention is not included in the primary efficacy analysis.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

No Intervention (Waitlist Control)

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants in the waitlist control arm will not receive any intervention during the primary evaluation period (Week 0-16). They will complete the same reassessments as the intervention group at Week 4 and Week 16. After the Week 16 follow-up, control arm participants will be offered the same 4-week chatbot intervention for ethical considerations, followed by a final assessment at Week 20. This post-Week-16 intervention is not included in the primary efficacy analysis.

Interventions

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Motivational Interviewing-Based Conversational Agent (Mobile Chatbot)

Participants in the experimental arm will use a motivational interviewing-based conversational agent (mobile chatbot) for 4 weeks starting on the baseline assessment day (Week 0). The intervention provides daily interactive dialogues, personalized feedback, goal-setting guidance, and behavior change strategies based on motivational interviewing principles. Participants are encouraged to complete daily sessions designed to enhance motivation, support self-monitoring, and reduce high-risk alcohol consumption.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

No Intervention (Waitlist Control)

Participants in the waitlist control arm will not receive any intervention during the primary evaluation period (Week 0-16). They will complete the same reassessments as the intervention group at Week 4 and Week 16. After the Week 16 follow-up, control arm participants will be offered the same 4-week chatbot intervention for ethical considerations, followed by a final assessment at Week 20. This post-Week-16 intervention is not included in the primary efficacy analysis.

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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MI Chatbot, Digital Behavioral Intervention Waitlist Control, Delayed Intervention Control

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Individuals aged 19 to 59 years who are capable of providing valid written informed consent.
2. Individuals who meet the definition of high-risk drinking (AUDIT score ≥ 8).3.- Individuals who express a desire to reduce their alcohol consumption.
3. Individuals who own and use an Android smartphone (version 8 or higher).
4. Individuals who have no difficulty using mobile applications.
5. Individuals who are able to communicate adequately with the research team.
6. Individuals who fully understand the study procedures and voluntarily agree to participate.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Individuals who are unable to read or understand the consent form (e.g., illiterate individuals, non-Korean speakers).
2. Individuals with impaired decision-making capacity.
3. Pregnant individuals or those planning to become pregnant during the study period.
4. Individuals who are currently participating in another clinical study.
5. Individuals who are receiving treatment or counseling for alcohol-related problems.
6. Individuals who use two or more mobile phones.
7. Individuals who are expected to change their mobile phone or SIM card, or who plan to travel 8. abroad during the intervention period.
8. Any individual deemed inappropriate for study participation at the discretion of the investigator.
Minimum Eligible Age

19 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

59 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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BlueSignum Corporation

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Yonsei University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Severance Hospital

Seoul, , South Korea

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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South Korea

Facility Contacts

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Young Chul Jung, Professor, MD, PhD

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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4-2025-1168

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id