Back to search results

Digital Intervention for Emerging Adults with Alcohol Misuse and Suicidal Thoughts

This study is testing a new digital program called EA-Avatar, which uses a virtual coach to help young adults (ages 18-29) who have experienced suicidal thoughts and alcohol misuse. The program offers tools to manage alcohol use and suicidal thoughts, and provides resources for support. Researchers want to see if people find EA-Avatar helpful and easy to use. They also want to know if participants can complete daily surveys for 28 days and follow-up surveys for 12 weeks. The study is also looking for early signs that the program might help reduce alcohol use and suicidal thoughts. You may be able to join if you are 18-29, speak English, and have been to the emergency department for alcohol or suicide-related reasons, or have active suicidal thoughts and binge drinking.

Study design
This is a randomized controlled study with 60 participants. Half will receive the EA-Avatar program, and the other half will use a publicly available suicide safety planning app.
What's involved
Participants will complete assessments at the start, and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. They will also complete daily surveys for 28 consecutive days.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 12 weeks after starting the study.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07418047

Preliminary Trial of an Avatar Guided Digital Intervention for Emerging Adults

Recruiting
NAAges 18–29InterventionalTreatment
University of Massachusetts, Worcester
~60 participants
Updated 2026-08-03 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:EA-AvatarSuicide safety planning app

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Acceptability as defined by positive ratings on the WAI-TECH-SF
Measured over 12 weeks
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Binge Alcohol Consumption
Suicidal Ideation

Explore related trials

Drinking bingeSuicidal Ideation

Where it's being run

2 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts2

Study leadership

  • Lourah M Kelly, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · UMass Chan Medical School, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Who to contact

Lourah M Kelly, PhD
[email protected]
508-948-8973
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

(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

(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

What this trial measures

  • Acceptability as defined by positive ratings on the WAI-TECH-SF12 weeks

    Positive ratings on the Working Alliance Inventory Technology Version, Short Form (WAI-TECH-SF) as measured by an average of 4 out of 7 or higher on the mean score. Minimum = 1, Maximum = 7, higher scores mean better acceptability

  • Feasibility of research protocols, defined as follow-up retention12 weeks

    Feasibility will be supported by retention of research participants in at least 80% at each of the four assessments

  • Feasibility of research protocols, defined as adherence to the ecological momentary assessment/daily diary protocol28 days

    Feasibility will be supported by at least 75% of total daily diary surveys across 28 days