The overall aim of the REACT Study is to create and assess smartphone-based cognitive tasks to examine how acute alcohol intoxication affects attention. First, we will adapt laboratory-based cognitive tasks for use on smartphones. To maximize usability, feedback will be gathered in rapid prototyping interviews with young adults. Then, we will evaluate the adapted smartphone tasks in two settings: (1) a controlled laboratory session in which young adults are administered a standard dose of alcohol, and (2) real-world drinking experiences over eight weekends, as measured with phone surveys and a wrist-based alcohol biosensor. Findings are expected to clarify the role of alcohol-related attentional narrowing in real-world behaviors. Results will be used to inform the development of just-in-time adaptive interventions to prevent alcohol-related consequences.
Geographic Area: Seattle/Puget Sound
A multisite study of prenatal alcohol exposure: effects of inflammation and endocrine dysfunction in adulthood
Using a “whole body, whole lifespan” approach, we will investigate how alterations in the immune and endocrine systems induced by prenatal alcohol exposure may be key drivers of early-onset health and functional deficits in adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Needs Assessment for Supporting Technology use and Harm Reduction (STaHR Study)
The proposed study entails a needs assessment to develop a program for Supporting Technology use and Harm Reduction (STaHR) among HF residents with lived experience of homelessness and substance use. This study will qualitatively explore HF residents’ technology literacy as well as their perspectives on barriers and facilitators to the use of technology, broadly, and for harm-reduction service provision. Then, with a community advisory board (CAB) made up of HF residents, staff, and management, we will inform and provide recommendations to HF management and leadership ways to improve HF resident technology use and engagement with online harm-reduction services.
eHaRT-A: adapting an in-person harm reduction for alcohol intervention into a telehealth platform
The unprecedented global pandemic has highlighted the digital divide and limited access to alcohol-related treatments among marginalized communities, specifically individuals with lived experience of homelessness. In line with the NIAAA health initiative seeking to integrate technology-based interventions among vulnerable populations, this study directly addresses this mission by proposing innovative methods (i.e., user-centered design + a community based participatory research framework) to adapt an in-person harm reduction for alcohol (HaRT-A) intervention into a telehealth platform (eHaRT-A) that can then be tested and successfully implemented into low-barrier Housing First settings. As healthcare continues to move more services online, it is essential to understand ways to successfully adapt and implement rigorously tested telehealth treatment services for marginalized communities to ameliorate alcohol-related harms.
eHaRT-A
The unprecedented global pandemic has highlighted the digital divide and limited access to alcohol-related treatments among marginalized communities, specifically individuals with lived experience of homelessness. In line with the NIAAA health initiative seeking to integrate technology-based interventions among vulnerable populations, this study directly addresses this mission by proposing innovative methods (i.e., user-centered design + a community based participatory research framework) to adapt an in-person harm reduction for alcohol (HaRT-A) intervention into a telehealth platform (eHaRT-A) that can then be tested and successfully implemented into low-barrier Housing First settings. As healthcare continues to move more services online, it is essential to understand ways to successfully adapt and implement rigorously tested telehealth treatment services for marginalized communities to ameliorate alcohol-related harms.
Evaluation of an asynchronous remote communities approach to behavioral activation for depressed adolescents
In an effort to address the significant challenges in access to and engagement with evidence-based psychosocial interventions for adolescent depression, the proposed research is piloting the use of Asynchronous Remote Communities (ARC) supported behavioral activation (BA) to treat adolescent depression. We aim to 1) build and conduct usability testing on a functional and robust ActivaTeen platform that will satisfy the needs of mental health clinicians and adolescent patients and 2) test the feasibility, usability, and change in proposed target mechanisms (therapist alliance, timeliness of intervention, social belongingness, and engagement) and outcomes of BA+ActivaTeen compared to BA treatment only within a moderately-sized randomized control trial conducted within Seattle Children’s Hospital outpatient psychiatry clinic.
Patient perspectives on prescribing opioid discontinuation: understanding and promoting safe transitions
A study to verify the clinical benefit of aducanumab in participants with early Alzheimer’s disease (ENVISION)
The primary objective of this study is to verify the clinical benefit of monthly doses of aducanumab in slowing cognitive and functional impairment as measured by changes in the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) score as compared with placebo in participants with early Alzheimer’s disease.
A Study of Donanemab in participants with early Alzheimer’s disease (TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2)
The reason for this study is to see how safe and effective the study drug donanemab is in participants with early Alzheimer’s disease.
Expanding access to adolescent depression care by non-specialists with a digital intervention
Adolescent depression is one of the most common mental health concerns during adolescence and can be a cause of significant impairment across the lifespan, particularly if untreated. Access to evidence-based psychotherapy is poor and pandemic-related increased demand for services has greatly worsened access issues, leaving many adolescents without effective and critically needed treatment. Adolescent depression is often first identified in primary care, making it the ideal setting for improving early access to treatment. While treatment by mental health specialists within primary care is effective, the workforce is not adequate to meet the high demand for services. Online depression treatment has been shown to be effective and has the added potential to expand access, particularly given adolescent’s comfort with digital technology. Importantly, the addition of human coaching alongside online treatments has been shown to boost engagement and treatment outcomes.
The goal of this project is to increase early access to evidence-based depression treatment in primary care settings. The project team will work with adolescents, caregivers and providers to develop an accessible and engaging online treatment for delivery in primary care. To support integration and enhance engagement, the project will also develop a coaching toolkit that can be utilized by a range of non-mental health specialists, including nurses, medical providers, social workers and bachelor’s level staff.
