AAT-APP+: A Novel Brain-training App to Reduce Drinking

Last updated: July 29, 2025
Sponsor: Turning Point
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol Dependence

Addictions

Treatment

AAT-APP: A novel smart-phone approach-avoidance bias modification intervention

Sham training control

Clinical Study ID

NCT04923256
73140
  • Ages > 55
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This study will explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a smart phone delivered form of cognitive training intervention (Approach Bias Modification (ABM)) in a non-clinical community sample of middle to older adults (>55 years) reporting hazardous alcohol use in a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT). This app is called AAT-APP+

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 55+ years

  • Score 8 or higher on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (indicates 'hazardous' levels of alcohol use).

  • Access to an Android or Apple smart phone and Australian contact number

  • Wish to reduce their drinking

  • Live within the Eastern Health Primary and Secondary Catchment (see map below)

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Under age 55

  • Not concerned about their drinking

  • Do not wish to reduce their alcohol use in the next 4-6 weeks

  • Do not reside with the appropriate catchment will be excluded.

  • Experiencing severe alcohol problems likely to need professional treatment (i.e.presence of withdrawal symptoms in the past year)

Study Design

Total Participants: 188
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: AAT-APP: A novel smart-phone approach-avoidance bias modification intervention
Phase:
Study Start date:
June 30, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
March 01, 2024

Study Description

Alcohol use in older adults is of particular concern, with the 55-74 year old cohort most likely to exceed lifetime alcohol risk. Approach Bias Modification (ABM) is a form of computerised cognitive training that is an efficacious intervention for alcohol use disorder. Previous studies are limited in that the stimuli are not personalised, nor are interventions readily accessible to non-treatment seeking problem drinkers. This has led to the development of a world-first, smart phone version of ABM called AAT-APP+

The current study aims to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of AAT-APP+ in reducing alcohol consumption and cravings in a pilot RCT with a non-clinical community sample of 100 older adults (aged 55+ years) reporting hazardous alcohol use (i.e. a score of 8+ on the AUDIT), recruited via targeted advertising. Participants in active training will upload (or select pre-selected) photos of beverages and meaningful activities, which will form the 'avoid' and 'approach' stimuli, respectively, then complete two training sessions per week for four weeks, with results compared to controls. AAT-APP+ holds promise as an innovate, cost-effective, and remotely accessible adjunctive support tool.

Connect with a study center

  • Turning Point

    Richmond, Victoria 3121
    Australia

    Site Not Available

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