NCT07418047 Preliminary Trial of an Avatar Guided Digital Intervention for Emerging Adults
| NCT ID | NCT07418047 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Massachusetts, Worcester |
| Condition | Binge Alcohol Consumption |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 60 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-05-18 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-08-31 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 60 participants in total. It began in 2026-05-18 with a primary completion date of 2026-08-31.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a novel digital avatar (virtual coach) support program can help emerging adults ages 18-29 who present to the emergency department with suicidal thoughts and alcohol misuse (EA-Avatar). The study also aims to learn whether people find the program easy to use and whether daily surveys and the study design are able to be completed by the majority of emerging adult participants. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Do participants use the digital program and find it helpful? * Is it possible for participants to complete daily surveys for twenty-eight days and follow-up surveys over twelve weeks? * Are there early signs that the program may help lower alcohol use and suicidal thoughts? Researchers will compare participants who receive the new digital avatar program plus supportive text messages to participants who receive a freely available suicide safety planning app to see if there are differences in use, engagement, and early signs of benefit. Participants will: * Receive standard care from the emergency department * Be randomly put into one of two groups (EA-Avatar or a free suicide prevention app) * Depending on their group, use a new avatar-guided digital support program with text message reminders OR use a free suicide safety planning app * Complete surveys at the start of the study and again at four, eight, and twelve weeks * Complete short daily surveys for twenty-eight days
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * (1) emergency department admission for alcohol- or suicide-related reason since turning 18, OR treated for incidental suicide risk in the emergency department * (2) aged 18-29 * (3) speak, read, and understand English * (4) binge drinking in the past month OR alcohol use problems (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score \> 5) * (5) active suicidal ideation in the past month * (6) owning and having access to a personal smartphone * (7) willingness to be randomized to an avatar guided intervention for alcohol use problems and suicidal thoughts OR a freely available suicide safety planning app * (8) for remote MyChart-based recruitment only, have MyChart activated Exclusion Criteria: * (1) severe cognitive delay, active psychosis, or heavy intoxication that precludes research participation * (2) imminent safety risk and have been recently unsafe to themselves or others * (3) prisoner or are under arrest * (4) not interested or not willing to be randomized to receive the avatar-guided digital intervention or safety plan app * (5) under the care of a legal guardian
Contact & Investigator
Lourah M Kelly, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
UMass Chan Medical School, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07418047 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 29 Years, studying Binge Alcohol Consumption. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07418047 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07418047 is actively recruiting participants. Visit ClinicalTrials.gov or contact University of Massachusetts, Worcester to inquire about joining.
Where is the NCT07418047 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Marlborough, United States, Worcester, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07418047 clinical trial?
NCT07418047 is sponsored by University of Massachusetts, Worcester. The principal investigator is Lourah M Kelly, PhD at UMass Chan Medical School, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. The trial plans to enroll 60 participants.