Feasibility of a telehealth-based contingency management intervention for alcohol use disorders using the phosphatidylethanol (PEth) 16:0/18:1 alcohol biomarker: a pilot randomized trial.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse
; 50(2): 162-172, 2024 Mar 03.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38284925
ABSTRACT
Background:
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a blood-based biomarker for alcohol consumption that can be self-collected and has high sensitivity, specificity, and a longer detection window compared to other alcohol biomarkers.Objectives:
We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth-based contingency management (CM) intervention for alcohol use disorder (AUD) using the blood-based biomarker PEth to assess alcohol consumption.Methods:
Sixteen adults (7 female, 9 male) with AUD were randomized to Control or CM conditions. Control participants received reinforcers regardless of their PEth levels. CM participants received reinforcers for week-to-week decreases in PEth (Phase 1) or maintenance of PEth consistent with abstinence (<20 ng/mL, Phase 2). Blood samples were self-collected using the TASSO-M20 device. Acceptability was assessed by retention in weeks. Satisfaction was assessed with the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) and qualitative interviews. The primary efficacy outcome was PEth-defined abstinence. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of visits with PEth-defined heavy alcohol consumption, negative urine ethyl glucuronide results, and self-reported alcohol use.Results:
Retention averaged 18.6 ± 8.8 weeks for CM participants. CM participants reported high levels of satisfaction (CSQ-8, Mean = 30.3 ± 1.5). Interview themes included intervention positives, such as staff support, quality of life improvement, and accountability. 72% of PEth samples from CM participants were consistent with abstinence versus 34% for Control participants (OR = 5.0, p = 0.007). PEth-defined heavy alcohol consumption was detected in 28% of CM samples and 52% of Control samples (OR = 0.36, p = 0.159). CM participants averaged 1.9 ± 1.7 drinks/day versus 4.2 ± 6.3 for Control participants (p = 0.304).Conclusion:
Results support the acceptability and satisfaction of a telehealth PEth-based CM intervention, though a larger study is needed to assess its efficacy [NCT04038021].Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Biomarkers
/
Feasibility Studies
/
Telemedicine
/
Glycerophospholipids
/
Alcoholism
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Qualitative_research
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Limits:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: