CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT04356261GANDRUpdated May 1, 2026Results posted

Revolutionizing Normative Re-education

An interventional study of Gamified Personalized Normative Feedback in College Drinking, Underage Drinking and Alcohol Use Disorder, sponsored by Loyola Marymount University. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 20 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-01.

Sponsored by Loyola Marymount University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
1,143
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 20 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Personalized Normative Feedback (PNF), the most widely-used college alcohol intervention approach, suffers from several limitations innovatively remedied in the current proposal through CampusGANDR, a smartphone-based app for college students that delivers alcohol-related PNF within a weekly game centered around testing first-year students' perceptions about the attitudes and behaviors of their peers in a variety of campus-relevant domains. Five pilot studies suggest that CampusGANDR will be significantly more effective at correcting students' normative misperceptions and reducing their alcohol use than standard PNF, especially among heavier-drinking students and those with greater exposure to alcohol on social media, and that these larger effects are driven by the significantly decreased psychological reactance experienced by students when viewing feedback as part of a game about college life rather than as part of an alcohol-focused program. The current project seeks to 1) evaluate the efficacy of CampusGANDR in a large-scale multi-site trial, 2) identify the optimal dosage of alcohol feedback to deliver within CampusGANDR for correcting norms and reducing alcohol use across 12 weeks of gameplay among non-drinking, moderate-drinking, and heavy-drinking students, 3) examine person-level moderators of these effects, and 4) evaluate CampusGANDR engagement and sustainability among students who play voluntarily but are not involved in the randomized controlled trial.

Read the detailed description

Despite concerted efforts, high risk drinking remains a significant problem on college campuses. Further, the transition into college is an identified critical period in which risky drinking patterns are often established and serious negative consequences occur. Colleges commonly employ Normative Re-Education (NR), a promising intervention approach focused on correcting over-estimated peer drinking norms, to reduce alcohol risk in first-year students. However, the most cost-effective and scalable NR intervention strategy, web-based personalized normative feedback (PNF), has yielded only modest reductions in drinking. Several issues have been identified that may explain these relatively small effects. For example, students often question the credibility of the normative data, the content fails to capture students' attention, and heavy drinkers often react to feedback defensively. These issues are not surprising as, unlike social media and digital gaming applications that capture and sustain young adults' attention, web-based PNF formats lack the sophisticated digital graphics, social interactivity, and other dynamic features to which students have become accustomed. Further, colleges often make participation mandatory or offer incentives to enroll students in current interventions, likely a detriment to student motivation and thus intervention effectiveness. CampusGANDR (Gamified Alcohol Norm Discovery and Re-education) addresses these issues by delivering alcohol PNF within a fun, gamified smartphone app that tests first-year students' perceptions of college life and classmates' attitudes and behaviors on a weekly basis across the first semester of college. Integrating features from popular social media platforms and evidence-based digital game mechanics (e.g., co-presence, a wager-based system of points, and chance-based uncertainty), CampusGANDR also features enhanced PNF and includes several novel features informed by longstanding cognitive and social psychological theories.

Based on extensive pilot work, the current proposal seeks to: 1) evaluate the efficacy of CampusGANDR in a large-scale multi-site randomized controlled trial (RCT); 2) identify the optimal dosage of alcohol feedback to deliver within CampusGANDR for correcting norms and reducing alcohol use among students who differ in alcohol use (non-drinkers, light to moderate drinkers, and heavy drinkers); 3) examine person-level moderators of intervention efficacy; and 4) evaluate CampusGANDR engagement and the sustainability of play among students who use the app but aren't recruited into the evaluation study (RCT).

Incoming first-year students at colleges and universities in California (Loyola Marymount University site) and Texas (University of Houston site) consecutive cohorts of first-year students will be invited to download the CampusGANDR app to test their perceptions of campus life compete against their classmates. Then, among students already playing CampusGANDR, a balanced sub-sample of 1,800 non-drinking, light/moderate drinking, and heavy drinking students will be invited to take part in an evaluation study (RCT). Study participants will play CampusGANDR over the initial 12 weeks of the fall semester and complete 4 surveys assessing their alcohol use, social media use, health behaviors, mental health, and adjustment to college. Study participants will be discretely randomized to receive alcohol feedback 0%, 33%, or 67% of weekly CampusGANDR rounds through a backend manipulation of chance elements. Students not meeting study eligibility criteria and those not electing to take part in the evaluation study will still take part in CampusGANDR. The dosage of alcohol feedback among these non-RCT players receive will be determined at random and their app usage data will be employed to assess app engagement and sustainability of play in the absence of study incentives. This project aims to culminate in a highly engaging, scalable, cutting-edge native smartphone app (IOS, Android) able to dynamically tailor the dosage of alcohol feedback delivered based on students' alcohol experience at the point of matriculation.

02

Conditions studied

  • College Drinking
  • Underage Drinking
  • Alcohol Use Disorder

Keywords

  • Prevention
  • Social norms
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 20 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Eligibility criteria

To play CampusGANDR individuals must:

  1. Have access to either a smartphone or a computer with internet capabilities on which the app can be accessed
  2. Be at least 18 years of age and currently enrolled as an incoming first-year student at a college or university in California or Texas.
  3. Accept CampusGANDR Terms of Service \& Privacy Policy.

Additional RCT Inclusion Criteria

To take part in the evaluation study participants must:

  1. Be a CampusGANDR user between 18 and 20 years old
  2. Answer screening questions and screen into an open stratum
  3. Review and accept the evaluation study Informed Consent form

Exclusion criteria for both:

  1. Not meeting inclusion criteria
  2. Unwillingness to participate (indicated by failure to accept Terms of Service \& Privacy Policy, or provide informed consent)
04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
1,143 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Placebo comparator
    Control PNF

    Personalized Normative Feedback on non-alcohol/health related topics delivered in all weekly rounds (active control)

    Behavioral: Gamified Personalized Normative Feedback

  • Active comparator
    Light Dose of Alcohol PNF

    Personalized Normative Feedback on Alcohol Use delivered in 33% of weekly rounds

    Behavioral: Gamified Personalized Normative Feedback

  • Active comparator
    Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF

    Personalized Normative Feedback on Alcohol Use delivered in 67% of weekly rounds

    Behavioral: Gamified Personalized Normative Feedback

Interventions

  • BehavioralGamified Personalized Normative Feedback

    Each week, all players will answer 3 questions of interest about first-year students' attitudes and behaviors (e.g., drinking, partying, exercising, studying, dorm life, etc.) generated by the student players. They will also guess how the typical same-sex student at their University answered the same questions and wager points on how close to the correct answer (group norm) each of their guesses is. Further, they will rate (e.g., thumbs up/thumbs down) the reported behaviors of other players and, then, submit and vote on questions for subsequent rounds. At the end of each week, players will receive enhanced personalized normative feedback feedback on two of the three questions, and receive feedback on how other students rated the answer they reported (preferred-sex injunctive norms).

    Also known as: GANDR

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change From Baseline Daily Drinking at 4 Months

    The Daily Drinking Questionnaire assessess the number of drinks consumed per week in a typical week over the past three months.

    Time frame: baseline, 4 months

  2. Change From Baseline Daily Drinking at 9 Months

    The Daily Drinking Questionnaire assesses the number of drinks consumed per week in a typical week over the past three months.

    Time frame: baseline, 9 months

  3. Change From Baseline Daily Drinking at 12 Months

    Assesses number of drinks consumed during an average week over the past month

    Time frame: baseline, 12 months

  4. Change From Baseline Alcohol Consequences at 4 Months

    Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ; Read et al., 2006) was used to assess alcohol-related negative consequences in the past month. Participants indicate whether or not they experienced each of 48 alcohol-related negative consequences in the past month (0 = no, 1 = yes). Items are summed to yield a total score reflecting the number of alcohol-related problems experienced. Scores range from 0 to 48, where higher scores indicate a greater number of alcohol-related negative consequences (worse outcome).

    Time frame: baseline, 4 months

  5. Change From Baseline Alcohol Consequences at 9 Months

    Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ; Read et al., 2006) was used to assess alcohol-related negative consequences in the past month. Participants indicate whether or not they experienced each of 48 alcohol-related negative consequences in the past month (0 = no, 1 = yes). Items are summed to yield a total score reflecting the number of alcohol-related problems experienced. Scores range from 0 to 48, where higher scores indicate a greater number of alcohol-related negative consequences (worse outcome).

    Time frame: baseline, 9 months

  6. Change From Baseline Alcohol Consequences at 12 Months

    Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ; Read et al., 2006) was used to assess alcohol-related negative consequences in the past month. Participants indicate whether or not they experienced each of 48 alcohol-related negative consequences in the past month (0 = no, 1 = yes). Items are summed to yield a total score reflecting the number of alcohol-related problems experienced. Scores range from 0 to 48, where higher scores indicate a greater number of alcohol-related negative consequences (worse outcome).

    Time frame: baseline, 12 months

  7. Change From Baseline Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol Use at 4 Months

    We used the Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol measure to assess peak drinks. Participants reported the largest number of drinks they consumed on one occasion in the past 30 days.

    Time frame: baseline, 4 months

  8. Change From Baseline Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol Use at 9 Months

    Assesses frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption over the past month

    Time frame: baseline, 9 months

  9. Change From Baseline Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol Use at 12 Months

    Assesses frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption over the past month

    Time frame: baseline, 12 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Drinking Norms Rating Form at 4 Months

    Assesses perceptions of weekly alcohol consumption among peers over the past month

    Time frame: baseline, 4 months

  2. Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Drinking Norms Rating Form at 9 Months

    Assesses perceptions of weekly alcohol consumption among peers over the past month

    Time frame: baseline, 9 months

  3. Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Drinking Norms Rating Form at 12 Months

    Assesses perceptions of weekly alcohol consumption among peers over the past month

    Time frame: baseline, 12 months

  4. Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Modified Quantity, Frequency, Peak Index at 4 Months

    Assesses perceptions of peers' frequency and quantity of drinking over the past month

    Time frame: baseline, 4 months

  5. Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Modified Quantity, Frequency, Peak Index at 9 Months

    Assesses perceptions of peers' frequency and quantity of drinking over the past month

    Time frame: baseline, 9 months

  6. Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Modified Quantity, Frequency, Peak Index at 12 Months

    Assesses perceptions of peers' frequency and quantity of drinking over the past month

    Time frame: baseline, 12 months

  7. Change From Baseline Injunctive Peer Drinking Norms (Adapted From Baer, 1994) at 4 Months

    Perceived Injunctive Norms scale was used to assess participants' estimates of how acceptable other same-sex students at their university find each of 15 drinking behaviors (e.g., drinking to get drunk, drinking alone, driving after drinking). Participants rate the acceptability of each behavior on a scale from 1 (completely unacceptable) to 7 (completely acceptable). Ratings are averaged across all 15 items to yield a total score ranging from 1 to 7, where higher scores indicate greater perceived peer approval of drinking behaviors.

    Time frame: baseline, 4 months

  8. Change From Baseline Injunctive Peer Drinking Norms (Adapted From Baer, 1994) at 9 Months

    Perceived Injunctive Norms scale was used to assess participants' estimates of how acceptable other same-sex students at their university find each of 15 drinking behaviors (e.g., drinking to get drunk, drinking alone, driving after drinking). Participants rate the acceptability of each behavior on a scale from 1 (completely unacceptable) to 7 (completely acceptable). Ratings are averaged across all 15 items to yield a total score ranging from 1 to 7, where higher scores indicate greater perceived peer approval of drinking behaviors.

    Time frame: baseline, 9 months

  9. Change From Baseline Injunctive Peer Drinking Norms (Adapted From Baer, 1994) at 12 Months

    Perceived Injunctive Norms scale was used to assess participants' estimates of how acceptable other same-sex students at their university find each of 15 drinking behaviors (e.g., drinking to get drunk, drinking alone, driving after drinking). Participants rate the acceptability of each behavior on a scale from 1 (completely unacceptable) to 7 (completely acceptable). Ratings are averaged across all 15 items to yield a total score ranging from 1 to 7, where higher scores indicate greater perceived peer approval of drinking behaviors; group-level data are summarized using the Mean (Measure Type) and SD (Dispersion Type).

    Time frame: baseline, 12 months

06

Results

Posted May 1, 2026

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Started388374381
Wave 2311290294
Wave 3301291291
Wave 4295283290
Completed388374381
Not completed000

Outcome measures

PrimaryChange From Baseline Daily Drinking at 4 Months

The Daily Drinking Questionnaire assessess the number of drinks consumed per week in a typical week over the past three months.

Time frame:
baseline, 4 months
Reported as:
Mean · Drinks per week
Change From Baseline Daily Drinking at 4 Months
Drinks per weekControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Daily Drinking at 4 Months2.11 ± 4.971.79 ± 5.842.18 ± 4.81
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .155 (Two-tailed test. z = -1.42, p = .155) · Incidence rate ratio: 0.735 · 95% CI 0.481 to 1.123
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .845 (Two-tailed test. z = -0.20, p = .845) · Incidence rate ratio: .960 · 95% CI .640 to 1.441
PrimaryChange From Baseline Daily Drinking at 9 Months

The Daily Drinking Questionnaire assesses the number of drinks consumed per week in a typical week over the past three months.

Time frame:
baseline, 9 months
Reported as:
Mean · Drinks per week
Change From Baseline Daily Drinking at 9 Months
Drinks per weekControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Daily Drinking at 9 Months1.85 ± 4.151.67 ± 3.592.05 ± 4.75
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .362 (Two-tailed test. z = -0.91, p = .362) · Incidence rate ratio: .821 · 95% CI .539 to 1.253
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = 0.750 (Two-tailed test. z =-0.32, p = .0.750.) · Incidence rate ratio: .935 · 95% CI .618 to 1.41
PrimaryChange From Baseline Daily Drinking at 12 Months

Assesses number of drinks consumed during an average week over the past month

Time frame:
baseline, 12 months
Reported as:
Mean · Drinks per week
Change From Baseline Daily Drinking at 12 Months
Drinks per weekControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Daily Drinking at 12 Months2.16 ± 4.742.31 ± 4.762.00 ± 3.72
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .865 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. z = -0.17, p = .865) · Incidence rate ratio: 0.965 · 95% CI 0.638 to 1.458Robust standard errors used.
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .563 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. z = -0.58, p = .563) · Incidence rate ratio: 0.895 · 95% CI 0.614 to 1.304Robust standard errors used.
PrimaryChange From Baseline Alcohol Consequences at 4 Months

Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ; Read et al., 2006) was used to assess alcohol-related negative consequences in the past month. Participants indicate whether or not they experienced each of 48 alcohol-related negative consequences in the past month (0 = no, 1 = yes). Items are summed to yield a total score reflecting the number of alcohol-related problems experienced. Scores range from 0 to 48, where higher scores indicate a greater number of alcohol-related negative consequences (worse outcome).

Time frame:
baseline, 4 months
Reported as:
Mean · scores on a scale
Change From Baseline Alcohol Consequences at 4 Months
scores on a scaleControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Alcohol Consequences at 4 Months2.06 ± 3.652.02 ± 4.101.85 ± 3.49
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .417 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. z = 0.81, p = .417) · Incidence rate ratio: 1.149 · 95% CI 0.821 to 1.609
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .361 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. z = 0.91, p = .361) · Incidence rate ratio: 1.175 · 95% CI 0.831 to 1.660Robust standard errors used.
PrimaryChange From Baseline Alcohol Consequences at 9 Months

Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ; Read et al., 2006) was used to assess alcohol-related negative consequences in the past month. Participants indicate whether or not they experienced each of 48 alcohol-related negative consequences in the past month (0 = no, 1 = yes). Items are summed to yield a total score reflecting the number of alcohol-related problems experienced. Scores range from 0 to 48, where higher scores indicate a greater number of alcohol-related negative consequences (worse outcome).

Time frame:
baseline, 9 months
Reported as:
Mean · scores on a scale
Change From Baseline Alcohol Consequences at 9 Months
scores on a scaleControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Alcohol Consequences at 9 Months1.95 ± 3.442.24 ± 4.012.29 ± 4.10
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .603 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. z = 0.52, p = .603) · Incidence rate ratio: 1.089 · 95% CI 0.790 to 1.500Robust standard errors used.
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .241 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. z = 1.17, p = .241) · Incidence rate ratio: 1.221 · 95% CI 0.875 to 1.704Robust standard errors used.
PrimaryChange From Baseline Alcohol Consequences at 12 Months

Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ; Read et al., 2006) was used to assess alcohol-related negative consequences in the past month. Participants indicate whether or not they experienced each of 48 alcohol-related negative consequences in the past month (0 = no, 1 = yes). Items are summed to yield a total score reflecting the number of alcohol-related problems experienced. Scores range from 0 to 48, where higher scores indicate a greater number of alcohol-related negative consequences (worse outcome).

Time frame:
baseline, 12 months
Reported as:
Mean · scores on a scale
Change From Baseline Alcohol Consequences at 12 Months
scores on a scaleControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Alcohol Consequences at 12 Months2.32 ± 4.082.32 ± 3.722.17 ± 3.97
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .563 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. z = 0.58, p = .563) · Incidence rate ratio: 1.095 · 95% CI 0.805 to 1.491Robust standard errors used.
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .645 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. z = 0.46, p = .645) · Incidence rate ratio: 1.080 · 95% CI 0.779 to 1.498Robust standard errors used.
PrimaryChange From Baseline Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol Use at 4 Months

We used the Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol measure to assess peak drinks. Participants reported the largest number of drinks they consumed on one occasion in the past 30 days.

Time frame:
baseline, 4 months
Reported as:
Mean · Peak number of drinks
Change From Baseline Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol Use at 4 Months
Peak number of drinksControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol Use at 4 Months1.86 ± 3.271.53 ± 2.861.95 ± 3.41
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .658 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. z = -0.44, p = .658) · Incidence rate ratio: 0.927 · 95% CI 0.662 to 1.297Robust standard errors used.
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .494 · Incidence rate ratio: 1.120 · 95% CI 0.809 to 1.550Robust standard errors used.
PrimaryChange From Baseline Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol Use at 9 Months

Assesses frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption over the past month

Time frame:
baseline, 9 months
Reported as:
Mean · Peak number of drinks
Change From Baseline Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol Use at 9 Months
Peak number of drinksControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol Use at 9 Months1.98 ± 3.521.94 ± 3.312.09 ± 3.67
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .701 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. z = -0.38, p = .701) · Incidence rate ratio: 0.940 · 95% CI 0.685 to 1.290Robust standard errors used.
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .719 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. z = -0.36, p = .719) · Incidence rate ratio: 0.942 · 95% CI 0.681 to 1.304Robust standard errors used.
PrimaryChange From Baseline Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol Use at 12 Months

Assesses frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption over the past month

Time frame:
baseline, 12 months
Reported as:
Mean · Peak number of drinks
Change From Baseline Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol Use at 12 Months
Peak number of drinksControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Quantity/Frequency/Peak Alcohol Use at 12 Months1.88 ± 3.002.10 ± 3.351.90 ± 3.01
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .614 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. z = 0.50, p = .614) · Incidence rate ratio: 1.081 · 95% CI 0.799 to 1.464Robust standard errors used.
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Negative binomial regression · p = .931 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. z = 0.09, p = .931) · Incidence rate ratio: 1.013 · 95% CI 0.751 to 1.366Robust standard errors used.
SecondaryChange From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Drinking Norms Rating Form at 4 Months

Assesses perceptions of weekly alcohol consumption among peers over the past month

Time frame:
baseline, 4 months
Reported as:
Mean · Drinks per week (descriptive norm)
Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Drinking Norms Rating Form at 4 Months
Drinks per week (descriptive norm)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Drinking Norms Rating Form at 4 Months7.00 ± 8.255.75 ± 6.875.76 ± 6.32
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .085 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. t = -1.73, p = .085) · Median difference (final values): -0.956 · 95% CI -2.042 to 0.131
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .085 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. t = -1.73, p = .085) · Median difference (final values): -0.946 · 95% CI -2.022 to 0.129
SecondaryChange From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Drinking Norms Rating Form at 9 Months

Assesses perceptions of weekly alcohol consumption among peers over the past month

Time frame:
baseline, 9 months
Reported as:
Mean · Drinks per week (descriptive norm)
Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Drinking Norms Rating Form at 9 Months
Drinks per week (descriptive norm)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Drinking Norms Rating Form at 9 Months5.47 ± 7.275.45 ± 6.675.36 ± 6.84
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .854 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. t = 0.18, p = .854) · Mean difference (final values): 0.101 · 95% CI -0.977 to 1.179
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .940 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. t = -0.07, p = .940) · Median difference (final values): -0.041 · 95% CI -1.107 to 1.026
SecondaryChange From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Drinking Norms Rating Form at 12 Months

Assesses perceptions of weekly alcohol consumption among peers over the past month

Time frame:
baseline, 12 months
Reported as:
Mean · Drinks per week (descriptive norm)
Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Drinking Norms Rating Form at 12 Months
Drinks per week (descriptive norm)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Drinking Norms Rating Form at 12 Months6.91 ± 9.066.08 ± 6.585.65 ± 6.37
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .197 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. t = -1.29, p = .197) · Median difference (final values): -0.795 · 95% CI -2.004 to 0.413
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .069 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. t = -1.82, p = .069) · Mean difference (final values): -1.111 · 95% CI -2.308 to 0.086
SecondaryChange From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Modified Quantity, Frequency, Peak Index at 4 Months

Assesses perceptions of peers' frequency and quantity of drinking over the past month

Time frame:
baseline, 4 months
Reported as:
Mean · Peak number of drinks (descriptive norm)
Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Modified Quantity, Frequency, Peak Index at 4 Months
Peak number of drinks (descriptive norm)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Modified Quantity, Frequency, Peak Index at 4 Months5.12 ± 3.604.49 ± 3.144.86 ± 4.14
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .039 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. t = -2.06, p = .039) · Mean difference (final values): -0.617 · 95% CI -1.203 to -0.030
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .393 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. t = -0.85, p = .393) · Mean difference (final values): -0.252 · 95% CI -0.832 to 0.327
SecondaryChange From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Modified Quantity, Frequency, Peak Index at 9 Months

Assesses perceptions of peers' frequency and quantity of drinking over the past month

Time frame:
baseline, 9 months
Reported as:
Mean · Peak number of drinks (descriptive norm)
Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Modified Quantity, Frequency, Peak Index at 9 Months
Peak number of drinks (descriptive norm)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Modified Quantity, Frequency, Peak Index at 9 Months4.86 ± 3.595.24 ± 3.634.52 ± 3.42
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .229 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. t = 1.20, p = .229) · Median difference (final values): 0.350 · 95% CI -0.221 to 0.921
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .135 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. t = -1.50, p = .135) · Mean difference (final values): -0.432 · 95% CI -0.998 to 0.134
SecondaryChange From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Modified Quantity, Frequency, Peak Index at 12 Months

Assesses perceptions of peers' frequency and quantity of drinking over the past month

Time frame:
baseline, 12 months
Reported as:
Mean · Peak number of drinks (descriptive norm)
Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Modified Quantity, Frequency, Peak Index at 12 Months
Peak number of drinks (descriptive norm)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Descriptive Peer Drinking Norms- Modified Quantity, Frequency, Peak Index at 12 Months5.41 ± 3.524.92 ± 3.704.98 ± 3.69
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .081 · Median difference (final values): -0.521 · 95% CI -1.106 to 0.064Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. t = -1.75, p = .081
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .108 · Median difference (final values): -0.473 · 95% CI -1.051 to 0.104
SecondaryChange From Baseline Injunctive Peer Drinking Norms (Adapted From Baer, 1994) at 4 Months

Perceived Injunctive Norms scale was used to assess participants' estimates of how acceptable other same-sex students at their university find each of 15 drinking behaviors (e.g., drinking to get drunk, drinking alone, driving after drinking). Participants rate the acceptability of each behavior on a scale from 1 (completely unacceptable) to 7 (completely acceptable). Ratings are averaged across all 15 items to yield a total score ranging from 1 to 7, where higher scores indicate greater perceived peer approval of drinking behaviors.

Time frame:
baseline, 4 months
Reported as:
Mean · scores on a scale
Change From Baseline Injunctive Peer Drinking Norms (Adapted From Baer, 1994) at 4 Months
scores on a scaleControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Injunctive Peer Drinking Norms (Adapted From Baer, 1994) at 4 Months4.18 ± 1.094.16 ± 1.014.01 ± 1.13
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .922 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. t = -0.10, p = .922) · Mean difference (final values): -0.008 · 95% CI -0.159 to 0.144
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .113 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. t = -1.59, p = .113) · Median difference (final values): -0.121 · 95% CI -0.271 to 0.029
SecondaryChange From Baseline Injunctive Peer Drinking Norms (Adapted From Baer, 1994) at 9 Months

Perceived Injunctive Norms scale was used to assess participants' estimates of how acceptable other same-sex students at their university find each of 15 drinking behaviors (e.g., drinking to get drunk, drinking alone, driving after drinking). Participants rate the acceptability of each behavior on a scale from 1 (completely unacceptable) to 7 (completely acceptable). Ratings are averaged across all 15 items to yield a total score ranging from 1 to 7, where higher scores indicate greater perceived peer approval of drinking behaviors.

Time frame:
baseline, 9 months
Reported as:
Mean · scores on a scale
Change From Baseline Injunctive Peer Drinking Norms (Adapted From Baer, 1994) at 9 Months
scores on a scaleControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Injunctive Peer Drinking Norms (Adapted From Baer, 1994) at 9 Months4.25 ± 1.034.27 ± 0.934.07 ± 1.05
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .646 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. t = 0.46, p = .646) · Mean difference (final values): 0.033 · 95% CI -0.108 to 0.174
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .086 (Test of Heavy Dose versus Control condition. t = -1.72, p = .086) · Mean difference (final values): -0.123 · 95% CI -0.263 to 0.017
SecondaryChange From Baseline Injunctive Peer Drinking Norms (Adapted From Baer, 1994) at 12 Months

Perceived Injunctive Norms scale was used to assess participants' estimates of how acceptable other same-sex students at their university find each of 15 drinking behaviors (e.g., drinking to get drunk, drinking alone, driving after drinking). Participants rate the acceptability of each behavior on a scale from 1 (completely unacceptable) to 7 (completely acceptable). Ratings are averaged across all 15 items to yield a total score ranging from 1 to 7, where higher scores indicate greater perceived peer approval of drinking behaviors; group-level data are summarized using the Mean (Measure Type) and SD (Dispersion Type).

Time frame:
baseline, 12 months
Reported as:
Mean · scores on a scale
Change From Baseline Injunctive Peer Drinking Norms (Adapted From Baer, 1994) at 12 Months
scores on a scaleControl PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNF
Change From Baseline Injunctive Peer Drinking Norms (Adapted From Baer, 1994) at 12 Months4.31 ± 0.984.28 ± 0.944.12 ± 1.01
Statistical analysis
  • Control PNF vs Light Dose of Alcohol PNF vs Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF · Regression, Linear · p = .702 (Test of Light Dose versus Control condition. t = -0.38, p = .702) · Mean difference (final values): -0.027 · 95% CI -0.167 to 0.112

Adverse events

Collected over From enrollment until end of follow-up (13 months).. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Control PNF0/388 (0%)0/388 (0%)0/388 (0%)
Light Dose of Alcohol PNF0/374 (0%)0/374 (0%)0/374 (0%)
Heavy Dose of Alcohol PNF0/381 (0%)0/381 (0%)0/381 (0%)

Baseline characteristics

1143 Participants were assigned to condition.

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(Years)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNFTotal
Mean18.40 ± .6218.41 ± .6418.37 ± .5918.39 ± .62
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNFTotal
Female248243247738
Male140131134405
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNFTotal
American Indian or Alaska Native86721
Asian105109104318
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander0101
Black or African American474446137
White181165168514
More than one race444554143
Unknown or Not Reported3429
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNFTotal
Hispanic or Latino130110117357
Not Hispanic or Latino258264264786
Unknown or Not Reported0000
Drinks per week
Drinks per week(Number of alcoholic drinks per week)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNFTotal
Mean1.97 ± 5.991.86 ± 4.451.64 ± 3.871.82 ± 4.86
Peak drinks
Peak drinks(number of alcoholic drinks)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNFTotal
Mean1.50 ± 3.001.53 ± 3.011.43 ± 2.651.49 ± 2.89
Alcohol Problems
Alcohol Problems(scores on a scale)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNFTotal
Mean2.09 ± 3.601.88 ± 3.551.58 ± 2.841.85 ± 3.35
Perceived descriptive norm for peak drinks
Perceived descriptive norm for peak drinks(drinks/occasion)Control PNFLight Dose of Alcohol PNFHeavy Dose of Alcohol PNFTotal
Mean5.55 ± 4.855.46 ± 4.875.60 ± 5.135.54 ± 4.95

2 further baseline measures are reported on the registry.

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Loyola Marymount University
    Los Angeles, California 90045, United States
08

References and documents

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Oct 7, 2025
  • Informed consent form · Mar 1, 2020

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes — Study results will be reported in aggregate, so that individual participants will not be identifiable in any research reports or presentations of the proposed study. A de-identified dataset will be made available to researchers 1 year after the initial publication of results. This dataset will include participant demographics and outcome measures assessed at baseline and the follow-up surveys. A data dictionary will be provided.

Supporting information: Study protocol, Icf

09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04356261
Lead sponsor
Loyola Marymount University
Collaborators
University of Houston
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Apr 22, 2020
Start date
Aug 15, 2021
Primary completion
Oct 25, 2024
Completion
Oct 25, 2024
Results posted
May 1, 2026
Last update
May 1, 2026

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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