Text Messaging to Reduce High-risk Alcohol Use Among Older Adults

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age55-80
SponsorUniversity of Southern Denmark

About this trial

High-risk drinking is very prevalent among Danes aged 55+. It poses a serious risk to health and independent living, burdening health care systems and family members. Measures to reduce high-risk alcohol use in this growing group at need are urgently needed. A recent small study from the US shows that text messaging reduces high-risk alcohol intake in older adults. The investigators will conduct a pilot study with the same intervention in Denmark, with adaptations to language and culture. The pilot study will investigate among Danish older adults whether text messaging is well-accepted by participants and feasible in terms of reducing 1) high-risk drinking and 2) commonly accompanying problems with daily functioning, social relationships, and mental and physical health. The pilot-trial will include n=60 adults aged 55-80 years who will receive alcohol-related text messages (within a secure app for data protection purposes) over 12 weeks. Assessments will include a baseline assessment and a post-assessment.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

consumption of > 10 standard drinks á 12 gram ethanol per week (i.e., high-risk alcohol use defined by the Danish Health Authority) in the past four weeks

desire to reduce drinking

age 55 to 80 years

mobile phone ownership and willingness to receive and respond to text messages

Disqualifiers

drinking more than 53 standard drinks per week in the last four weeks

past 12 month alcohol withdrawal symptoms or lifetime history of serious withdrawal symptoms (e.g., seizures)

score above 12 on the Short alcohol withdrawal scale; SAWS

possible drug dependence (i.e., use of illegal drugs or psychotropic medication taken without prescription more than once a month)

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Text messaging

Treatment groups

60 Participants
are divided into 6 treatment groups

6

Treatment groups

See each treatment group below.

Sponsors and collaborators

University of Southern Denmark

Lead sponsor

Anette Søgaard Nielsen, PhD

Collaborator

Kjeld Andersen, PhD

Collaborator

Angelina Mellentin, PhD

Collaborator

Alexis Kuerbis

Collaborator