Internet-based Video-conferencing to Address Alcohol Use and Pain: a Pilot Trial

Internet-based Videoconferencing to Address Alcohol Use and Pain Among People With HIV

This pilot study seeks to provide effect size estimates and test feasibility of a novel, integrated behavioral approach to reduce heavy drinking and chronic pain among patients in HIV-care delivered via internet-based videoconferencing.

This pilot study is a between-groups design to compare a novel integrated behavioral video telehealth intervention for heavy drinking PLWH with chronic pain to a control condition. Forty-eight heavy drinking patients in HIV-care with moderate or greater pain will be recruited for the study. Following baseline assessment, participants will be randomly assigned to either intervention or control conditions. Participants will complete assessment measures of heavy drinking and pain interference/severity at 3 and 6 months post-baseline. Secondary alcohol outcomes will include alcohol-related consequences

Inclusion Criteria:

• engaged in HIV care, heavy drinking defined as more than 7/14 drinks per week for women/men or by a single episode of 4/5 (women/men), chronic (at least 3 months duration) moderate or greater (4 or more on the severity scale of the BPI, and non-cancer related pain

Exclusion Criteria:

• psychoactive medication for pain or alcohol use for fewer than 2 months
• history of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia
• current expressed suicidal intent
• prior history of alcohol withdrawal related seizures or delirium tremens
• current behavioral treatment for pain or alcohol use
• any scheduled surgery within the next 6 months or acute life threatening illness that requires treatment