Wearable Technology and Alcohol-Facilitated Intimate Partner Violence
United States92 participantsStarted 2023-01-27
Plain-language summary
This project seeks to develop interactive treatment options to successfully reduce AUD and IPV concurrently. The purpose of the study is to examine the usability, feasibility, and acceptability of wearable activity trackers (like a smart watch) and use of a cell phone application (app) among couples. The investigators are also testing the use of this device and app will affect alcohol use and couple conflict.
This study involves a screening phase and a 28 observation period where participants are asked to wear a smart watch, complete assessments and provide feedback.
Who can participate
Age range21 Years – 70 Years
SexALL
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Inclusion criteria
✓. Any gender identity; any race or ethnicity; any sexual orientation; aged 21-70 years.
✓. Married, cohabiting, or in a committed relationship for ≥ 6 months.
✓. English fluency and cognitive functioning sufficient to provide informed consent and participate accurately (score ≥ 26 on the Mini-Mental Status Exam \[MMSE\]).
✓. At least one partner within each dyad must meet DSM-V diagnostic criteria for current AUD (assessed by the QuickSCID) and consume ≥ 2 hazardous drinking episodes (i.e., 4 or more drinks for women, 5 or more for men in ≤ 2 hours) per month in the past three months.
✓. At least one partner within each dyad must endorse ≥1 instance of IPV with their current partner in the past 6 months (assessed by the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale \[CTS-2\]).
✓. Maintenance of psychotropic medications on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks before study initiation.
Exclusion criteria
✕. Meeting DSM-5 criteria for a history of or current psychotic or bipolar disorders.
✕
What they're measuring
1
Heart Rate Variability During Alcohol-Facilitated Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Timeframe: From enrollment through end of evaluation period; 28 days.
2
Usability of Heart Rate Variability-Biofeedback Intervention
Timeframe: During the exit interview, following 28 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA).
3
Feasibility of Heart Rate Variability-Biofeedback Intervention
Timeframe: From days 21-28 during the Heart Rate Variability-Biofeedback (HRV-B) intervention; 7 days.
4
Acceptability of Heart Rate Variability-Biofeedback Intervention
Timeframe: During the exit interview, following 28 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA).
. Meeting DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for moderate or severe drug use disorder (e.g., cannabis). Concurrent mild drug use disorders are acceptable due to the marked co-occurrence in AUD populations.
✕. Alcohol withdrawal as indicated by CIWA-Ar scores \>8.
✕. Current suicidal or homicidal ideation and intent.
✕. Serious cardiovascular health conditions (e.g., pacemaker, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension) because the safety of HRV-B has not yet been established in these populations.
✕. Treatment on medications such as lithium, methadone, alpha or beta blockers or cholinergic/ anticholinergic medications likely to confound normative cardiovascular responding.
✕. Current neurologic conditions or history of traumatic brain injury.
✕. Severe and unilateral IPV in the past 6 months.