A Randomized Controlled Trial of Attentional Control Training for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether adding a gamified Attentional Alcohol Control Training Program (AACTP) delivered via a smartphone app can improve outcomes for patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) receiving standard evidence-based treatment. The study addresses a lack of evidence on AACTP's effectiveness in clinical AUD samples, building on promising results observed in community samples of excessive drinkers. The trial is a randomized controlled design involving 268 patients recruited from outpatient clinics in Denmark. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A will receive seven weekly sessions of the gamified AACTP via a smartphone app alongside their usual treatment, while Group B will receive a sham version of the app plus usual treatment. The intervention period lasts seven weeks. Both groups continue their primary alcohol treatment as usual during the study. Patients will complete assessments at the start of the study, after treatment at 12 weeks, and during follow-ups at 12 and 24 weeks post-treatment. Researchers will measure alcohol consumption, cravings, readiness to change, and emotional state. The study uses a quadruple masking design to reduce bias. The total participation period spans about six months, including treatment and follow-up evaluations to assess the impact of the training program.

Attentional Control Training for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder