NCT07713251 · Brown University
Supporting Adolescent Alcohol Treatment With Computer-Based ('Path180') Skills Training
What this study is about
This 8-week clinical trial will test a computer-based skills training program called Path180 with 112 adolescents aged 13 to 19 who are receiving mental health counseling or outpatient substance use treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to either standard treatment (treatment as usual) or standard treatment plus Path180.
View original scientific description
This 8-week clinical trial will test a computer-based skills training program called Path180 with 112 adolescents aged 13 to 19 who are receiving mental health counseling or outpatient substance use treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to either standard treatment (treatment as usual) or standard treatment plus Path180. The study will use ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to closely track how Path180 may influence the use of CBT skills and clinical outcomes in daily life. The goal is to help make evidence-based treatment more accessible for underserved youth in the early stages of alcohol use disorder.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Path180
Path180 is a 7-module computer-based skills training program designed specifically for teenagers. Whenever possible, participants assigned to this group will complete one module of Path180 at each of the first 7 weekly Check-in Visits. By educating teenagers about alcohol, boosting their motivation to change, and teaching a series of coping skills, Path180 was created to help youth cut back or stop drinking alcohol. Each module is brief (\~20 minutes) and uses a variety of strategies and interactive exercises to help teenagers learn new skills and apply them in their daily lives. Youth randomized to this condition will have unlimited access to the Path180 platform throughout the 8-week skills training period.
Primary outcome measures
Number of participants who complete the active treatment phase
Time frame: 8-week active treatment phase
The number of participants who complete the active treatment phase will determine feasibility.
Number of Participants Who Rate Their Treatment Experience in the "Satisfactory" or "Highly Satisfactory" Range on the CSQ-8
Time frame: 8-week active treatment phase
The Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8), which ranges in scores from 8 to 32 (higher scores indicate higher satisfaction), will determine acceptability. Treatment satisfaction will be considered acceptable if the number and percentage of subjects who rate their treatment experience in the "satisfactory" or "highly satisfactory" range on the CSQ-8 is ≥ 80%.
Number of heavy drinking days
Time frame: Last 4 weeks of treatment (Weeks 5-8)
Number of heavy drinking days (NHDD) during the last four weeks of treatment (treatment Weeks 5-8), as measured by the Timeline Followback interview. NHDD is defined as the total number of days on which participants consumed 5 or more drinks (for males) or 4 or more drinks (for females). The analysis of NHDD will control for baseline NHDD (defined as NHDD in the four weeks preceding treatment).
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Ages 13 to 19 years, inclusive; we will exclude children \< 13 due to diversity across adolescence and youths \> 19 because our focus is teenagers
- Seeking/receiving mental health counseling and/or outpatient substance use disorder treatment at Bradley Hospital or another national clinic/treatment service
- Self-reported alcohol use in the past year
- Meets criteria for a current DSM-5 alcohol use disorder assessed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children: Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS)
- Able to understand written and oral instructions in English, communicate understanding of the consent/assent form, and provide written informed consent/assent
- Complete all assessments required at screening.
- Provide contact information of someone, such as a parent or other family member, who may be able to contact the participant in case of a missed study appointment or follow-up assessment.
- Agree to the schedule of visits, verbally acknowledge that he/she/they will be able to attend each scheduled visit, participate in phone visits and that he/she/they does not have any already scheduled events or a job that may substantially interfere with study participation.
- If younger than 18 years, permission from the minor's legal authorized representative (e.g., caregiver, parent) is required, herein referred to as parent permission.
Exclusion criteria
- Current significant alcohol withdrawal symptoms (score \> 10) on the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-Revised (CIWA-AR); those with current significant alcohol withdrawal may be re-screened after stabilization
- DSM-5 criteria for a severe SUD besides alcohol, cannabis and tobacco
- Psychosis NOTE: Prospective participants diagnosed with psychiatric disorders not specifically excluded above may be included at the discretion of the principal investigator as long as the concurrent treatment for the comorbid psychiatric condition does not compromise the study integrity by virtue of its type, duration, or intensity.
Where
- Providence, Rhode Island
Collaborators
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jul 20, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations