Drinking BehaviorNCT05609344
Barbershop Talk: Reducing Excessive Alcohol Consumption Among Men
A study testing SBIRT in people with Drinking Behavior and Drinking Excessive, run by University of Arkansas at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Unhealthy drinking is considered one of the top 10 public health concerns in the United States. Not only has heavy drinking been linked to poorer overall health and the chances of getting cancer and cardiovascular diseases, but it also causes about 88,000 deaths and 2.5 million years of potential life lost each year… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Drinking Behavior, Drinking Excessive, Drinking
- What is being tested?
- SBIRT
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 611 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 26 Jun 2023to 31 Jul 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- male
- aged 18 or older
- resident of Arkansas
Who cannot join
None listed.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Unhealthy drinking is considered one of the top 10 public health concerns in the United States. Not only has heavy drinking been linked to poorer overall health and the chances of getting cancer and cardiovascular diseases, but it also causes about 88,000 deaths and 2.5 million years of potential life lost each year in the U.S. Men living in rural areas tend to drink more. In Arkansas, a rural state with high rates of unhealthy drinking, men are more likely to report heavy drinking (4 or more drinks a day) and to drink more when binge drinking. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based, multilevel, integrated public health approach for early intervention and timely referral to more intensive treatment for those with substance use disorders. SBIRTs have been successfully used in primary care and emergency settings.
However, men in rural areas may lack access to evidence-based care for unhealthy drinking due to many factors, including limited healthcare providers and insurance standing. Given the increased chances of death and illness linked to harmful drinking among rural men and the serious health consequences involved, it is urgent to improve access to evidence-based care. This can be achieved by expanding services into community settings that men in rural areas are more likely to visit, such as barbershops. Thus, the goals of this proposed Hybrid Type 2 pragmatic effectiveness-implementation trial are to: 1) test the effectiveness of an evidence-based SBIRT intervention for use within barbershops (Barbershop Talk); and 2) generate the scientific evidence needed to implement SBIRTs in "real world" settings. Data from this study will further our understanding of how to reduce the chances of experiencing alcohol attributable morbidity and mortality among men living in rural areas. Data will also enhance our understanding of strategies that can improve the implementation of evidence-based care models in non-clinical settings, thereby extending the reach of evidence-based care to rural communities with high needs.
- Conditions
- Drinking Behavior, Drinking Excessive, Drinking
- Being tested
- SBIRT
- Medical subject headings
- Drinking Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
SBIRTBehavioural
Low risk individuals will receive an educational pamphlet about alcohol use and the impact on health. Moderate Risk individuals will receive a brief alcohol intervention. High risk individuals will receive the brief alcohol intervention and be referred to specialty treatment.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| SBIRT | Experimental | Each intervention barbershop, will hold screening days, where a trained community health worker will be onsite to provide Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). Receives: Behavioral: SBIRT |
| Usual-care | Other | Six months after completion of Time 1, barbershops in the usual-care arm will receive the intervention. Receives: Behavioral: SBIRT |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Alcohol Use - total number of drinking days
At-risk drinking behavior measured as:
number of drinking days
Measured: Baseline
Alcohol Use - total number of drinking days
At-risk drinking behavior measured as:
number of drinking days
Measured: 3 months
Alcohol Use - total number of drinking days
At-risk drinking behavior measured as:
number of drinking days
Measured: 6 months
Alcohol Use - number of unhealthy drinking days
At-risk drinking behavior measured as:
number of unhealthy drinking days
Measured: Baseline
Alcohol Use - number of unhealthy drinking days
At-risk drinking behavior measured as:
number of unhealthy drinking days
Measured: 3 months
Alcohol Use - total number of unhealthy drinking days
At-risk drinking behavior measured as:
number of unhealthy drinking days
Measured: 6 months
Mental Health - depression
The PHQ-9 is the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (a diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders), which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day). The PHQ9 will be used for this outcome.
Measured: Baseline
Mental Health - depression
The PHQ-9 is the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (a diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders), which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day). The PHQ9 will be used for this outcome.
Measured: 3 months
Mental Health - depression
The PHQ-9 is the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (a diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders), which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day). The PHQ9 will be used for this outcome.
Measured: 6 months
Mental Health - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL5)
Measured: Baseline
Mental Health - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL5)
Measured: 3 months
Mental Health - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL5)
Measured: 6 months
Social Support
Family, friend, and partner support (number of people in support network)
Measured: Baseline
Social Support
Family, friend, and partner support (number of people in support network)
Measured: 3 months
Social Support
Family, friend, and partner support (number of people in support network)
Measured: 6 months
Healthcare Utilization
Number of subjects who have utilized healthcare services
Measured: Baseline
Healthcare Utilization
Number of subjects who have utilized healthcare services
Measured: 3 months
Healthcare Utilization
Number of subjects who have utilized healthcare services
Measured: 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Nov 2022
- Study start26 Jun 2023
- Primary completion31 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Jul 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Drinking BehaviorStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of ArkansasThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 611 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Arkansas
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Tiffany F Haynes, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Arkansas
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05609344
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 273439
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Oct 2022
- Last updated
- 16 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Haynes T, Lovelady N, Hart C, Hill A, Wells T, Gardner A, Selig J, Cucciare M. Barbershop talk: a hybrid-2 trial examining the effectiveness of a barbershop-placed screening, brief intervention, and referral (SBIRT) intervention. BMC Public Health. 2026 Apr 1;26(1):1532. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26506-1.
PubMed 41923034
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Barbershop Talk: Reducing Excessive Alcohol Consumption Among Men
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05609344
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 273439
- Conditions
- Drinking Behavior, Drinking Excessive, Drinking
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 611 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of ArkansasUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 26 Jun 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Nov 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Unhealthy drinking is considered one of the top 10 public health concerns in the United States. Not only has heavy drinking been linked to poorer overall health and the chances of getting cancer and cardiovascular diseases, but it also causes about 88,000 deaths and 2.5 million years of potential life lost each year in the U.S. Men living in rural areas tend to drink more. In Arkansas, a rural state with high rates of unhealthy drinking, men are more likely to report heavy drinking (4 or more drinks a day) and to drink more when binge drinking. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based, multilevel, integrated public health approach for early intervention and timely referral to more intensive treatment for those with substance use disorders. SBIRTs have been successfully used in primary care and emergency settings.
However, men in rural areas may lack access to evidence-based care for unhealthy drinking due to many factors, including limited healthcare providers and insurance standing. Given the increased chances of death and illness linked to harmful drinking among rural men and the serious health consequences involved, it is urgent to improve access to evidence-based care. This can be achieved by expanding services into community settings that men in rural areas are more likely to visit, such as barbershops. Thus, the goals of this proposed Hybrid Type 2 pragmatic effectiveness-implementation trial are to: 1) test the effectiveness of an evidence-based SBIRT intervention for use within barbershops (Barbershop Talk); and 2) generate the scientific evidence needed to implement SBIRTs in "real world" settings. Data from this study will further our understanding of how to reduce the chances of experiencing alcohol attributable morbidity and mortality among men living in rural areas. Data will also enhance our understanding of strategies that can improve the implementation of evidence-based care models in non-clinical settings, thereby extending the reach of evidence-based care to rural communities with high needs.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| SBIRT | Experimental | Behavioral: SBIRTEach intervention barbershop, will hold screening days, where a trained community health worker will be onsite to provide Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). |
| Usual-care | Other | Behavioral: SBIRTSix months after completion of Time 1, barbershops in the usual-care arm will receive the intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- male
- aged 18 or older
- resident of Arkansas
Key exclusion criteria (0 listed)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| SBIRTLow risk individuals will receive an educational pamphlet about alcohol use and the impact on health. Moderate Risk individuals will receive a brief alcohol intervention. High risk individuals will receive the brief alcohol intervention and be referred to specialty treatment. | Behavioural | SBIRT, Usual-care |
Primary outcome
Alcohol Use - total number of drinking days
Time frame: Baseline
At-risk drinking behavior measured as: number of drinking days
Alcohol Use - total number of drinking days
Time frame: 3 months
At-risk drinking behavior measured as: number of drinking days
Alcohol Use - total number of drinking days
Time frame: 6 months
At-risk drinking behavior measured as: number of drinking days
Alcohol Use - number of unhealthy drinking days
Time frame: Baseline
At-risk drinking behavior measured as: number of unhealthy drinking days
Alcohol Use - number of unhealthy drinking days
Time frame: 3 months
At-risk drinking behavior measured as: number of unhealthy drinking days
Alcohol Use - total number of unhealthy drinking days
Time frame: 6 months
At-risk drinking behavior measured as: number of unhealthy drinking days
Mental Health - depression
Time frame: Baseline
The PHQ-9 is the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (a diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders), which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day). The PHQ9 will be used for this outcome.
Mental Health - depression
Time frame: 3 months
The PHQ-9 is the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (a diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders), which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day). The PHQ9 will be used for this outcome.
Mental Health - depression
Time frame: 6 months
The PHQ-9 is the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (a diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders), which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day). The PHQ9 will be used for this outcome.
Mental Health - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Time frame: Baseline
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL5)
Mental Health - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Time frame: 3 months
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL5)
Mental Health - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Time frame: 6 months
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL5)
Social Support
Time frame: Baseline
Family, friend, and partner support (number of people in support network)
Social Support
Time frame: 3 months
Family, friend, and partner support (number of people in support network)
Social Support
Time frame: 6 months
Family, friend, and partner support (number of people in support network)
Healthcare Utilization
Time frame: Baseline
Number of subjects who have utilized healthcare services
Healthcare Utilization
Time frame: 3 months
Number of subjects who have utilized healthcare services
Healthcare Utilization
Time frame: 6 months
Number of subjects who have utilized healthcare services
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Mar 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41923034Haynes T, Lovelady N, Hart C, Hill A, Wells T, Gardner A, Selig J, Cucciare M. Barbershop talk: a hybrid-2 trial examining the effectiveness of a barbershop-placed screening, brief intervention, and referral (SBIRT) intervention. BMC Public Health. 2026 Apr 1;26(1):1532. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26506-1.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Tiffany F Haynes, PhD principal investigator
University of Arkansas
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing SBIRT in people with Drinking Behavior and Drinking Excessive, run by University of Arkansas at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 0 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Alcohol Use - total number of drinking days (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 18 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05609344, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Mar 2026.