Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation to Boost the Efficacy of Motivational Interviewing in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with motivational interviewing (MI) in people who drink alcohol at above low-risk levels. This proof-of-concept randomized clinical trial aims to test whether adding tACS during MI sessions can influence brain activity and reduce risky drinking behaviors. The study involves 75 participants with problematic drinking who are considering treatment for their alcohol use disorder. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: MI with active tACS stimulation, MI with sham (placebo) stimulation, or a delayed treatment group receiving MI only without stimulation. The active and sham groups undergo brain imaging including magnetoencephalography (MEG) and MRI scans during the sessions to measure brain responses. Each MI session lasts about 30 minutes. The delayed treatment group does not receive brain imaging. During the study, all participants report their alcohol use one month after the intervention through an online assessment. Researchers monitor brain activity, alcohol and cannabis use, emotions, and risk-taking behavior. Speech during MI sessions is recorded and analyzed to ensure proper counseling techniques. The total study duration includes initial sessions, brain scans for some groups, and follow-up assessments to evaluate changes in heavy drinking days and other drinking behaviors.

A Pilot Study of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation to Boost the Efficacy of Psychotherapy in a Community Sample of People Who Drink Alcohol