NCT07071779 Web-based Alcohol- or Cocaine-specific Inhibition Training in Adolescents and Young Adults With Substance Use Disorder
| NCT ID | NCT07071779 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Bern |
| Condition | Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 210 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-07-23 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-08 |
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 210 participants in total. It began in 2025-07-23 with a primary completion date of 2026-08.
⚠ 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
Substance misuse is one of the most common risk factors for health problems and premature death among adolescents and young adults worldwide. Although there are effective treatments for substance use disorder (SUD), there is still a need to further improve their effectiveness and make them easier to access. Early research suggests that substance-specific inhibition training, when used in addition to specialized treatment, can improve treatment outcomes. This training aims to strengthen inhibition specifically in situations with substance-related cues. The goal of this project is to offer this training for the first time in the form of a smartphone app, which is expected to increase the availability of the training. The main aim of the study is to evaluate whether this new app-based cognitive training is feasible as an add-on to the treatment of SUD in adolescents and young adults. In addition, the study will gather preliminary insights into whether the training affects drinking behavior and related brain processes. The project will be conducted as a double-blind, clinical pilot study. A total of 210 adolescents and young adults between 14 and 35 years old will be recruited from five specialized treatment centers. After the first study visit, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) an intervention group receiving the alcohol-specific inhibition training or (2) a control group receiving a similar alcohol-nonspecific inhibition training. During their participation, all participants will complete six short training sessions with the app. About one month later, they will complete six additional booster training sessions. This research may help develop effective, easily accessible tools to support young people with substance use disorder.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 14 - 35 years * Alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) ≥ 7 or Drug Use Identification Test (DUDIT) ≥ 8 * Currently undergoing outpatient treatment or online counselling in one of 7 specialized treatment settings * Sufficient German language skills * Informed Consent as documented by signature * Owner of a smartphone with internet access Exclusion Criteria: * Other severe substance use (except nicotine and cannabis) determined by the cut-off value ≥ 25 in the drug use disorder identification test (DUDIT) * Current medical conditions excluding participation * Inability to read and understand the participant's information * Enrolment of the investigator, his/her family members, employees, and other dependent persons Additional exclusion criteria for Electroencephalography (EEG)-substudy: * Current medication affecting EEG (e.g., benzodiazepines) * Other severe substance use determined by the cut-off value ≥ 25 in the DUDIT (except nicotine) * History of epilepsy * Cochlea implant
Contact & Investigator
Maria Stein, PD Dr.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
University of Bern
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07071779 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 14 Years or older, up to 35 Years, studying Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07071779 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07071779 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at maria.stein@unibe.ch for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07071779 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Bern, Switzerland.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07071779 clinical trial?
NCT07071779 is sponsored by University of Bern. The principal investigator is Maria Stein, PD Dr. at University of Bern. The trial plans to enroll 210 participants.