Testing the Impact of Thrive App Versions on Alcohol Use and Posttraumatic Stress After Recent Sexual Assault

Summary

The goal of this study is to find the most effective and efficient version of the THRIVE app. The THRIVE app is the first app-based preventative intervention that has been found to reduce alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress in people who have recently experienced sexual assault. In this trial, participants are randomly assigned to receive different versions of the THRIVE app to compare their impact. The THRIVE app is currently only available to participants in this study.

Conditions

• Posttraumatic Stress Symptom
• Alcohol Drinking
• Alcohol Problem

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Activity scheduling

Participants will engage in activity scheduling in the app (i.e., "Activities" module). On the first day of using the app, users will create a list of valued/important and avoided activities (e.g., spending time with friends, going to the gym), and then have the option to add alcohol protective behavioral strategies (e.g., adding ice to drinks, alternating alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages) to activities that the user identifies as being likely to involve drinking. On subsequent days, users will be encouraged to complete at least one activity from their list.

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive restructuring

Participants will engage in cognitive restructuring in the app (i.e., "Thoughts" activities). Users first go through an activity involving the identification of maladaptive cognitions and create a list of their maladaptive cognitions. On subsequent days, they engage in a guided in-app activity involving cognitive restructuring of maladaptive cognitions from their list.

BEHAVIORAL

Coaching calls

Participants will receive 10-20 minute weekly coaching calls during the app use period (4 total, including coaching provided in the enrollment call). All coaching calls will, at minimum, include a check-in, troubleshooting of technical issues, check-in about experience with symptom self-monitoring, and offers of referrals. Coaching calls in conditions involving activity scheduling will involve assistance with the Activities module. Coaching calls in conditions involving cognitive restructuring will involve assistance with the Thoughts module.

BEHAVIORAL

Non-core intervention components

All participants, regardless of condition, will receive the following non-core THRIVE components. * 21 days of brief self-report surveys in the app assessing their PTSD symptoms and alcohol use in the prior 24 hours. * A banner in their app displaying rotating non-personalized encouraging messages from other users. All app users will have the option of submitting encouraging statements to be displayed to all other users. Statements will be vetted by study staff before posting. * Lists of referral options specific to each recruitment site via the "Resources" section of the app. * Answers to frequently asked questions about the study, the study consent form, and contact information for the study team via the "Information" section of the app. * One call with a study "point person" within the first week following randomization to ensure they were able to access the app and troubleshoot access issues

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

  collaborator NIH

• University of Washington

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Emily Dworkin, PhD · University of Washington

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-07-29

Primary Completion

2027-07-15

Completion

2027-07-15

Countries

• United States

Study Locations