Benefits of temporary alcohol restriction: a feasibility randomized trial



Field, Matt, Puddephatt, Jo-Anne, Goodwin, Laura, Owens, Lynn ORCID: 0000-0001-7549-9350, Reaves, Danielle ORCID: 0000-0003-4045-6080 and Holmes, John
(2020) Benefits of temporary alcohol restriction: a feasibility randomized trial. PILOT AND FEASIBILITY STUDIES, 6 (1). 9-.

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Participation in temporary alcohol abstinence campaigns such as 'Dry January' may prompt enduring reductions in alcohol consumption. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is required to establish any long-term benefits or negative consequences of temporary abstinence. In the present study, we randomized heavy drinkers to complete or intermittent alcohol abstinence for 4 weeks, in order to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a large-scale RCT.<h4>Methods</h4>This was a mixed methods feasibility study in which we explored recruitment and retention to a randomized trial, compliance with alcohol abstinence instructions and barriers to compliance, and acceptability of study procedures (primary feasibility outcomes). A community sample of women aged between 40 and 60 who drank in excess of 28 alcohol units per week were randomized to abstain from alcohol for 4 weeks either completely or intermittently (at least four abstinent days per week). To monitor compliance, both groups provided regular breath samples on a cellular breathalyser. A subsample completed a semi-structured interview that probed barriers to compliance with abstinence instructions and acceptability of study procedures.<h4>Results</h4>Within 5 months, we recruited, screened and randomized 25 participants (20% of participants who responded to advertisements: 14 in the complete abstinence group, 11 in the intermittent abstinence group), 24 of whom were retained throughout the 28-day intervention period. Participants in both groups tended to comply with the instructions: the median number of breathalyser-verified abstinent days was 24 (IQR = 15.5-25.0; 86% of target) in the complete abstinence group versus 12 (IQR = 10-15; 75% of target) in the intermittent abstinence group. Semi-structured interviews identified some barriers to compliance and methodological issues that should be considered in future research. No adverse events were reported.<h4>Conclusions</h4>It is feasible to recruit heavy drinking women from community settings and randomize them to either complete or intermittent abstinence from alcohol for 4 weeks. The majority of participants were retained in the study and compliance with the abstinence instructions was good, albeit imperfect. A comprehensive RCT to compare temporary alcohol abstinence with other alcohol reduction strategies on long-term alcohol consumption is feasible. Findings from such a trial would inform implementation of alcohol campaigns and interventions.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Alcohol, Cellular breathalyser, Temporary abstinence
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 18 Feb 2020 10:14
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2023 00:02
DOI: 10.1186/s40814-020-0554-y
Open Access URL: https://pilotfeasibilitystudies.biomedcentral.com/...
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3075527