Internet-based cognitive bias modification for binge drinking prevention ('binge drinking' chez les jeunes: etude pilote de la prévention de l’alcoolisme par un réentrainement attentionnel en ligne)
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN23552252 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN23552252 |
| Protocol serial number | Social Affaire and Health Department of the State of Geneva Grant: N 180490 |
| Sponsors | University of Geneva, Geneva University Hospitals, University Hospital of Geneva |
| Funders | Information Technology Commission of the University of Geneva (Switzerland), Social Affaire and Health Department of the State of Geneva Grant: N 180490 |
- Submission date
- 27/05/2015
- Registration date
- 05/06/2015
- Last edited
- 08/05/2017
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Binge drinking is a term used to describe the consumption of lots of alcoholic drinks in a short period of time (hours to days) with the sole purpose of becoming drunk (intoxicated). Binge drinking is well known to have many negative effects on a person’s physical and mental health, particularly in young people whose brains are still developing. There is some evidence to suggest that people who regularly binge drink are more sensitive to environmental stimuli related to alcohol, such as advertising. This is called attentional bias. An attentional bias towards alcohol may make a person who binge drinks more likely to engage in that behaviour. It may also make it harder for them to not drink, even if that is what they feel they would prefer, because it affects their will power. The aim of this study is to test an online attentional bias modification programme. The study will assess whether people who engage in binge drinking behaviour show reduced attentional bias towards alcohol-related stimuli following completion of the programme.
Who can participate?
Adults aged 18-29 who exhibit binge drinking behaviour and have a good command of French.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated into one of two groups. Those in group 1 (intervention group) take part in 8 online sessions of the attentional bias modification programme. Those in group 2 (control group) take part in 8 online sessions of a modified version of the attentional bias modification programme; it is not considered to have any therapeutic effect for the participant. All participants take part in the programme sessions over a four week period. Each session takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Participants are asked to complete questionnaires at the start of the study, at the end of the 8 programme sessions, and again 1 month later.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are foreseeable risks related to the use of the Attentional Bias Modification procedure. Meanwhile, we expect two potential benefits to the participants, a possible reduction in alcohol consumption after the completion of eight sessions of the intervention task and a monetary remuneration at the end of the study.
Where is the study run from?
University of Geneva (Switzerland)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
July 2013 to March 2016
Who is funding the study?
Information Technology Commission of the University of Geneva (Switzerland)
Who is the main contact?
Dr G Ceschi
Ekaterina.Plys@unige.ch
Contact information
Scientific
40, boulevard du Pont-d'Arve
Geneva
1211
Switzerland
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-2065-6870 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +41 22 379 8064 |
| Ekaterina.Plys@unige.ch |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised controlled singe-centre interventional study |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Internet-based cognitive bias modification for binge drinking prevention: protocol for a randomised controlled trial |
| Study acronym | iCBM-A Binge Drinking |
| Study objectives | 1. Binge drinkers trained to attend to alcohol-unrelated stimuli will decrease their attentional bias towards alcohol and their alcohol consumption. We expect this effect to last for at least one month. 2. The attentional bias modification will mediate changes in alcohol consumption. Additionally, we will explore the effects of the Cognitive Bias Modification of Attention procedure on participants’ subjective craving for alcohol. We expect that the reduction of attentional bias will be accompanied by a decrease in craving. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Ethics Committee of the University of Geneva, 19/07/2013. |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Alcohol consumption (binge drinking behaviour) |
| Intervention | 1. Intervention group: eight sessions of an internet-based attentional bias modification programme. During the intervention, 95% of the probes will appear at the spatial location previously occupied by the alcohol-unrelated picture (contingency ratio of 95:05). The intervention takes place over four weeks, and each session lasts about 20 minutes. 2. Control group: eight sessions of the internet-based control task. For the control sessions, probes will replace alcohol-related pictures as often as alcohol-unrelated pictures (contingency of 50:50). The sessions take place over four weeks, and each session lasts about 20 minutes. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Baseline and post-intervention: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Self-reported assessment of binge drinking behaviour. Participants will be asked to evaluate their average alcohol consumption during last six months using the following questions: |
| Completion date | 30/05/2016 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 29 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 80 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Aged 18-29 2. Presents with binge drinking behaviour: consumption of over five (for men) or four (for women) standard alcoholic drinks in a row at least once per fortnight during the previous 6 months 3. Attentional bias towards alcohol 4. Internet access 5. Good command of French |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Scores more than 3 on the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) for all addictive substances except alcohol and nicotine 2. No psychotropic medication change or dosage change within the past three months from study start 3. Introduction of, or change in, psychotherapeutic treatments within 3 months preceding study start |
| Date of first enrolment | 20/08/2015 |
| Date of final enrolment | 15/03/2016 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Switzerland
Study participating centre
40, boulevard du Pont-d'Arve
Geneva
1211
Switzerland
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
08/05/2017: Internal review
