CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT00751985Updated Apr 14, 2011

Web-based Ultra-brief Intervention for Heavy Drinkers Trial

A Phase 3 interventional study of Personalised normative feedback (PNF) and Self-help material in Alcohol Abuse, sponsored by University of Southern Denmark. Completed at 1 site in Denmark. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2011-04-14.

Sponsored by University of Southern Denmark · Phase 3, Interventional, and Prevention

Phase
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
1,380
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of the study is to determine whether a web-based ultra-brief intervention, consisting of personalized normative feedback or standardized self-help material, is effective in lowering self reported alcohol use in heavy drinkers.

Read the detailed description

Background and purpose:

The Danish national board of Health has awarded funds for two studies that will test methods that can be used for effective and early detection of heavy drinkers. The study will be carried out in 12 Danish municipalities in 2008. The study is part of the 'Diet, Smoking, Alcohol and Exercise' nationwide health study of the Danish population. It takes place in 13 municipalities in 2007 and 2008.

The purpose of the study is to determine whether a web-based ultra-brief intervention, consisting of personalized normative feedback or standardized self-help material, is effective in lowering self reported alcohol use in heavy drinkers.

Design:

The experiment is designed as a randomized controlled trial, where heavy drinkers will be allocated to either:

A) an intervention group receiving web-based personalized normative feedback (PFI) B) an intervention group receiving web-based self-help material (SHM) C) a control group receiving nothing.

After 6 and 12 months there will be follow-up and the participants will receive a questionnaire with questions about their alcohol consumption (internetbased and paper).

02

Conditions studied

  • Alcohol Abuse

Keywords

  • Heavy drinking
  • Ultra-brief intervention
  • Brief intervention
  • Alcohol prevention
  • Randomized trial
  • Personal normative feedback
  • Self-help material
  • Web-based
  • Intervention Studies
  • prevention & control
03

In context

Alcoholism

1,606 studies on the registry are indexed under Alcoholism; 329 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 1,380 is above the median of 87 across 1,371 interventional studies indexed under Alcoholism.

Browse Alcoholism studies →

Lead sponsor

University of Southern Denmark is the lead sponsor of 327 studies on the registry; 45 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants must be invited to the Danish 'Diet, Smoking, Alcohol and Exercise' nationwide health study.
  • Participants must have a weekly alcohol consumption above the recommended Danish limits (168 grams of alcohol for women, 252 grams of alcohol for men).

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Weekly alcohol consumption less than 168 grams of alcohol for women and 252 grams of alcohol for men.
  • Participants who have not informed their email address.
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
1,380 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    1

    Personalized normative feedback (PFI). The PFI was a single-session intervention; it was displayed in a single screenshot and addressed the participant by name. It consisted of a summary of the participant's weekly consumption, a comparison with maximum drinking limits and a graphical comparison of the participant's consumption to the average level in the municipality (gender-specific), followed by information about health and social risks of heavy drinking as well as links for further self-help material and a local alcohol treatment facility.

    Other: Personalised normative feedback (PNF)

  • Experimental
    2

    Self-help material (SHM). The SHM was a single-session intervention and was displayed in a single screenshot. It consisted of information about maximum drinking limits, followed by information about health and social risks of heavy drinking as well as links for further standardized self-help material and a local alcohol treatment facility.

    Other: Self-help material

  • Placebo comparator
    3

    Control

    Other: Control

Interventions

  • OtherPersonalised normative feedback (PNF)

    The intervention can be classified as a minimal ultra-brief intervention consisting of only a single session. The brief personalised normative feedback will comprise the result of the participant's amount of alcohol consumption, previously given in an online questionnaire. Alongside, information about alcohol and how it might affect them at their current drinking levels is provided. The feedback is also comparing their drinking, in graphical format, to the average drinking in the municipality concerned. Contact details are also provided about local alcohol treatment possibilities if the participants feel they need further help.

  • OtherSelf-help material

    The intervention can be classified as a minimal ultra-brief intervention consisting of only a single session. The intervention comprises of on-line self-help material informing about the participant's response from an online questionnaire shows that the participant's alcohol consumption exceeds the recommended limits. Alongside, information about alcohol and how it might affect them at their current drinking levels is provided. Contact details are also provided about local alcohol treatment possibilities if the participants feel they need further help.

  • OtherControl

    The participant is being informed about their allocation to the control group.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Reduction of 15% in alcohol consumption with an average volume of approximately 38-41 grams alcohol per week in the PFI group . In the self-help material group we expect that 5 - 10% will reduce their consumption equivalent.

    Outcome measure was based on self-reported drinking during a typical week.

    Time frame: 12 months

07

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Southern Denmark, National Institute of Public Health
    Copenhagen, 1399, Denmark
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Hansen AB, Becker U, Nielsen AS, Gronbaek M, Tolstrup JS, Thygesen LC. Internet-based brief personalized feedback intervention in a non-treatment-seeking population of adult heavy drinkers: a randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2012 Jul 30;14(4):e98. doi: 10.2196/jmir.1883. PubMed 22846542 ↗
09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Apr 14, 2011, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00751985
Lead sponsor
University of Southern Denmark
Collaborators
National Board of Health, Denmark
First posted
Sep 12, 2008
Start date
Sep 2008
Primary completion
Feb 2010
Completion
Feb 2010
Last update
Apr 14, 2011

Study contacts

Anders B. Gottlieb Hansen, Ph.d.-student, cand.techn.soc
principal investigator · University of Southern Denmark, National Institute of Public Health

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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