Preliminary Trial of an Avatar Guided Digital Intervention for Emerging Adults (NCT07418047) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Preliminary Trial of an Avatar Guided Digital Intervention for Emerging Adults
United States60 participantsStarted 2026-05-18
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a novel digital avatar (virtual coach) support program can help emerging adults ages 18-29 who present to the emergency department with suicidal thoughts and alcohol misuse (EA-Avatar). The study also aims to learn whether people find the program easy to use and whether daily surveys and the study design are able to be completed by the majority of emerging adult participants.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
* Do participants use the digital program and find it helpful?
* Is it possible for participants to complete daily surveys for twenty-eight days and follow-up surveys over twelve weeks?
* Are there early signs that the program may help lower alcohol use and suicidal thoughts?
Researchers will compare participants who receive the new digital avatar program plus supportive text messages to participants who receive a freely available suicide safety planning app to see if there are differences in use, engagement, and early signs of benefit.
Participants will:
* Receive standard care from the emergency department
* Be randomly put into one of two groups (EA-Avatar or a free suicide prevention app)
* Depending on their group, use a new avatar-guided digital support program with text message reminders OR use a free suicide safety planning app
* Complete surveys at the start of the study and again at four, eight, and twelve weeks
* Complete short daily surveys for twenty-eight days
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 29 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* (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 Criteria:
* (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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Acceptability as defined by positive ratings on the WAI-TECH-SF
Timeframe: 12 weeks
2
Feasibility of research protocols, defined as follow-up retention
Timeframe: 12 weeks
3
Feasibility of research protocols, defined as adherence to the ecological momentary assessment/daily diary protocol