AlcoholNCT07381868
Social Media Psychosocial Support Group in Reducing Alcohol Consumption
A study testing mHealth-based motivational counselling, Brief alcohol use counselling and health education and Social media group support with engagement management in people with Alcohol and mHealth Intervention, run by The University of Hong Kong at 1 site in Hong Kong.
Trial summary
This proposed study aims to develop and examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a proactive intervention model that combines brief psychological counselling, Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) and social media psychosocial support group to reduce alcohol consumption in women. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Alcohol, mHealth Intervention
- What is being tested?
- mHealth-based motivational counselling, Brief alcohol use counselling and health education and Social media group support with engagement management
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHong Kong
- Study dates
- 1 May 2026to 30 Nov 2026
- 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
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult women (age 18+),
- Had a total score ≥3 in AUDIT-C [suggesting at-risk drinkers (i.e., binge drinking)]( potential distress symptoms),
- Able to read and understand Chinese and use an instant messaging app weekly
Who cannot join
- Women who are undergoing psychiatric/psychological treatment
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Hong Kong1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, 18/F, Metro South Tower 1, 39 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang, 999077
Hong Kong
Shengzhi Zhao, +852 6561 4500, lubabezz@connect.hku.hk
Jie Wu, +852 4676 7596, eurus404@connect.hku.hk
About this study
Official title: Social Media Psychosocial Support Group to Reduce Alcohol Consumption in Women: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
This proposed study aims to develop and examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a proactive intervention model that combines brief psychological counselling, Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) and social media psychosocial support group to reduce alcohol consumption in women.
Read the detailed description
Targeted participants are adult women with a total a total score≥3 in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (AUDIT-C). Sixty participants will be actively recruited from the social media platform in Hong Kong.
This study will be a two-arm (allocation ratio:1:1; permutated block size of 2, 4, and 8), single blinded, parallel, pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with follow-ups at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-enrollment using consolidated standards of reporting (CONSORT) to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. The control group will receive an evidence-based intervention composed of brief psychological counselling and health education, 4-week EMA and social media psychosocial support group, guided by comprehensive assessment. Surveys will be collected via telephone. Semi-structured individual telephone or face-to-face indepth interviews will be conducted with the participants in the intervention group to understand the experience and the perceptions towards the EMA data collection and ocial media psychosocial support group intervention on alcohol consumption.
The clinical outcome of this study will be the difference in the alcohol consumption, anxiety and depressive levels, stress levels, and family well-being between the two groups at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.
- Conditions
- Alcohol, mHealth Intervention
- Being tested
- mHealth-based motivational counselling, Brief alcohol use counselling and health education, Social media group support with engagement management
- Keywords
- psychosocial support, alcohol consumption, adult women, social media, reduce alcohol intake
- Medical subject headings
- Alcohol Drinking
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
mHealth-based motivational counsellingBehavioural
The mHealth intervention will be delivered via the most popular instant messaging app in Hong Kong (WhatsApp). A total of 12 instant messages of six themes in multi-media formats, including text, pictures, animation, and short videos, will be sent to the participants according to the stages of change for alcohol use. Pre-contemplation: provide information about the risks of drinking; Contemplation: Emphasize the benefits of reduction and quitting, discuss alcohol problems and achievable goals for reduction or quitting; Preparation: discuss goal and give advice and encouragement; Action: review advice and provide encouragement; and Maintenance: give encouragement.Using a more personalized approach, the messages will be tailored to the participants' motivation, intention to quit and other quitting patterns collected at baseline. Real-time conversations could be initiated by participants themselves, triggered by regular messages, or through prompt inquires.
Brief alcohol use counselling and health educationBehavioural
After randomization and baseline data collection, participants will be linked to an experienced behavior counsellor and to receive a brief alcohol use counselling with health education, including health risks in alcohol use, advice to reduce alcohol consumption and available alcohol use services in Hong Kong with self-help psychoeducational materials. Guided by WHO, personal feedback will be provided according to Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score: 8-15 indicates at-risk for alcohol use, 16-19 indicates potentially harmful or hazardous drinking, and ≥20 indicates alcohol dependence. For subjects with potential risky drinking (3-8), AUDIT score will be explained and readiness to change drinking habits will be assessed.
Social media group support with engagement managementBehavioural
The behavior counsellor will invite the participants to join a psychological support group for interactive counselling. Counsellor will lead the discussion and provide counselling according to the stages of change for alcohol use. Pre-contemplation: provide information about the risks of drinking; Contemplation: Emphasize the benefits of reduction and quitting, discuss alcohol problems and achievable goals for reduction or quitting; Preparation: discuss goal and give advice and encouragement; Action: review advice and provide encouragement; and Maintenance: give encouragement. Participants will be encouraged to interact with counsellor on any concerns about healthy lifestyle, mood fluctuation, and other ways to deal with cravings.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Conrtol group | Active comparator | Participatns in the control group will receive alcohol brief intervention according to their AUDIT score at baseline and 4 weeks 1-to-1 health education messages. Receives: Behavioral: Brief alcohol use counselling and health education |
| Intervention group | Experimental | A 4-week psychological support group for interactive counselling will be provided to encourage reducing alcohol consumption. MHealth messages will also be provided according to the stages of change for alcohol use. Receives: Behavioral: mHealth-based motivational counselling; Behavioral: Brief alcohol use counselling and health education; Behavioral: Social media group support with engagement management |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Alcohol use
Alcohol use is measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scale. It is a standardized, 10-item self-report screening instrument developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify hazardous alcohol consumption, harmful drinking behaviors, and alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Respondents rate each item on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = never to 4 = daily or almost daily), with total scores ranging from 0 to 40. The higher the score, the greater the risk of individual alcohol abuse and dependence. Established cutoff values guide interpretation: Scores 0-7: Generally indicates low-risk or abstinence. Scores 8-14: Suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol use. Scores 15-19: Indicates a high level of harmful alcohol use. Simple advice and periodic review are advised. Scores 20-40: Suggests a likely alcohol dependence syndrome and the need for further diagnostic evaluation and specialist treatment consideration.
Measured: 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks after enrollment
Secondary outcomes (4)
Anxiety
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) is a 7-item self-reporting scale that evaluates the frequency and severity of anxious thoughts and behaviors during the last 2 weeks. Items are based on the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) criteria and scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). Total scores range from 0 to 21, with established cutoff values for interpreting severity: 0-4 (minimal anxiety), 5-9 (mild anxiety), 10-14 (moderate anxiety), and 15-21 (severe anxiety).
Measured: 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks after enrollment
Depressive symptoms
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a self-reporting questionnaire comprising 9 items that evaluate the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms during the last 2 weeks (e.g., "Little interest or pleasure in doing things", "Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless"). Responses are scored on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day), with total scores ranging from 0 to 27. Scores are typically interpreted as follows: 0-4 (minimal symptoms), 5-9 (mild depression), 10-14 (moderate depression), 15-19 (moderately severe depression), and 20-27 (severe depression).
Measured: 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks after enrollment
Stress
This project measured the participants' stress level by using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). This is a ten-item scale that measures how often stressful events occurred the last month using a 5-point Likert scale from 'Never' to 'Very Often'(0 = never to 4 = very often). Total scores range from 0 to 40, where higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived stress. An example of an item was: "How often have you been able to control irritations in your life?"
Measured: 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks after enrollment
Perceived family well-being
Perceived family well-being will be measured by the Family Apgar Scale. The scale comprises 5 core items that measure key dimensions of family well-being: adaptability (ability to cope with crises), partnership (shared decision-making and mutual support), growth (encouragement of individual development), affection (expression of warmth and care), and resolve (ability to solve conflicts effectively). Respondents rate each item on a 3-point Likert scale (0 = hardly ever to 2 = almost always), yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 10. Scores are interpreted as follows: 7-10 indicates healthy family functioning, 4-6 suggests moderate family dysfunction, and 0-3 signifies severe family dysfunction.
Measured: 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks after enrollment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Feb 2026
- Study start1 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AlcoholStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by The University of Hong KongThe 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
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The University of Hong Kong
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07381868
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Women Alcohol Reduction
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 17 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 18 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Social Media Psychosocial Support Group to Reduce Alcohol Consumption in Women: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07381868
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Women Alcohol Reduction
- Conditions
- Alcohol, mHealth Intervention
- Keywords
- psychosocial support, alcohol consumption, adult women, social media, reduce alcohol intake
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- The University of Hong KongUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Feb 2026 (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.
This proposed study aims to develop and examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a proactive intervention model that combines brief psychological counselling, Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) and social media psychosocial support group to reduce alcohol consumption in women.
Detailed description
Targeted participants are adult women with a total a total score≥3 in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (AUDIT-C). Sixty participants will be actively recruited from the social media platform in Hong Kong.
This study will be a two-arm (allocation ratio:1:1; permutated block size of 2, 4, and 8), single blinded, parallel, pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with follow-ups at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-enrollment using consolidated standards of reporting (CONSORT) to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. The control group will receive an evidence-based intervention composed of brief psychological counselling and health education, 4-week EMA and social media psychosocial support group, guided by comprehensive assessment. Surveys will be collected via telephone. Semi-structured individual telephone or face-to-face indepth interviews will be conducted with the participants in the intervention group to understand the experience and the perceptions towards the EMA data collection and ocial media psychosocial support group intervention on alcohol consumption.
The clinical outcome of this study will be the difference in the alcohol consumption, anxiety and depressive levels, stress levels, and family well-being between the two groups at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Conrtol group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Brief alcohol use counselling and health educationParticipatns in the control group will receive alcohol brief intervention according to their AUDIT score at baseline and 4 weeks 1-to-1 health education messages. |
| Intervention group | Experimental | Behavioral: mHealth-based motivational counselling, Behavioral: Brief alcohol use counselling and health education, Behavioral: Social media group support with engagement managementA 4-week psychological support group for interactive counselling will be provided to encourage reducing alcohol consumption. MHealth messages will also be provided according to the stages of change for alcohol use. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Adult women (age 18+),
- Had a total score ≥3 in AUDIT-C [suggesting at-risk drinkers (i.e., binge drinking)]( potential distress symptoms),
- Able to read and understand Chinese and use an instant messaging app weekly
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Women who are undergoing psychiatric/psychological treatment
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 |
|---|---|---|
| mHealth-based motivational counsellingThe mHealth intervention will be delivered via the most popular instant messaging app in Hong Kong (WhatsApp). A total of 12 instant messages of six themes in multi-media formats, including text, pictures, animation, and short videos, will be sent to the participants according to the stages of change for alcohol use. Pre-contemplation: provide information about the risks of drinking; Contemplation: Emphasize the benefits of reduction and quitting, discuss alcohol problems and achievable goals for reduction or quitting; Preparation: discuss goal and give advice and encouragement; Action: review advice and provide encouragement; and Maintenance: give encouragement.Using a more personalized approach, the messages will be tailored to the participants' motivation, intention to quit and other quitting patterns collected at baseline. Real-time conversations could be initiated by participants themselves, triggered by regular messages, or through prompt inquires. | Behavioural | Intervention group |
| Brief alcohol use counselling and health educationAfter randomization and baseline data collection, participants will be linked to an experienced behavior counsellor and to receive a brief alcohol use counselling with health education, including health risks in alcohol use, advice to reduce alcohol consumption and available alcohol use services in Hong Kong with self-help psychoeducational materials. Guided by WHO, personal feedback will be provided according to Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score: 8-15 indicates at-risk for alcohol use, 16-19 indicates potentially harmful or hazardous drinking, and ≥20 indicates alcohol dependence. For subjects with potential risky drinking (3-8), AUDIT score will be explained and readiness to change drinking habits will be assessed. | Behavioural | Conrtol group, Intervention group |
| Social media group support with engagement managementThe behavior counsellor will invite the participants to join a psychological support group for interactive counselling. Counsellor will lead the discussion and provide counselling according to the stages of change for alcohol use. Pre-contemplation: provide information about the risks of drinking; Contemplation: Emphasize the benefits of reduction and quitting, discuss alcohol problems and achievable goals for reduction or quitting; Preparation: discuss goal and give advice and encouragement; Action: review advice and provide encouragement; and Maintenance: give encouragement. Participants will be encouraged to interact with counsellor on any concerns about healthy lifestyle, mood fluctuation, and other ways to deal with cravings. | Behavioural | Intervention group |
Primary outcome
Alcohol use
Time frame: 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks after enrollment
Alcohol use is measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scale. It is a standardized, 10-item self-report screening instrument developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify hazardous alcohol consumption, harmful drinking behaviors, and alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Respondents rate each item on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = never to 4 = daily or almost daily), with total scores ranging from 0 to 40. The higher the score, the greater the risk of individual alcohol abuse and dependence. Established cutoff values guide interpretation: Scores 0-7: Generally indicates low-risk or abstinence. Scores 8-14: Suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol use. Scores 15-19: Indicates a high level of harmful alcohol use. Simple advice and periodic review are advised. Scores 20-40: Suggests a likely alcohol dependence syndrome and the need for further diagnostic evaluation and specialist treatment consideration.
4 secondary outcomes
Anxiety
Time frame: 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks after enrollment
Depressive symptoms
Time frame: 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks after enrollment
Stress
Time frame: 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks after enrollment
Perceived family well-being
Time frame: 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks after enrollment
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 18 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing mHealth-based motivational counselling, Brief alcohol use counselling and health education and Social media group support with engagement management in people with Alcohol and mHealth Intervention, run by The University of Hong Kong at 1 site in Hong Kong.
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 1 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 May 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 Hong Kong. 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?
Contact Shengzhi Zhao (+852 6561 4500, lubabezz@connect.hku.hk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Alcohol use (time frame: 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks after enrollment). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 18 May 2026.