ORCID
- Dhanda, Ashwin: 0000-0002-0523-0193
- Andrade, Jackie: 0000-0002-6626-7192
- Allgar, Victoria: 0000-0002-5228-2623
- Callaghan, Lynne: 0000-0002-0766-645X
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The healthcare burden of alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is increasing. ARLD and alcohol use disorder (AUD) is best managed by reduction or cessation of alcohol use, but effective treatments are lacking. We tested whether people with ARLD and AUD admitted to hospital could be recruited to and retained in a trial of Functional Imagery Training (FIT), a psychological therapy that uses mental imagery to reduce alcohol craving. We conducted a multicentre randomised pilot trial of treatment as usual (TAU) versus FIT+TAU in people admitted to hospital with ARLD and AUD.
DESIGN: Participants were randomised to TAU (a single session of brief intervention) or FIT+TAU (TAU with one hospital-based FIT session then eight telephone sessions over 6 months). Pilot outcomes included recruitment rate and retention at day 180. Secondary outcomes included fidelity of FIT delivery, alcohol use, and severity of alcohol dependence.
RESULTS: Fifty-four participants (mean age 49; 63% male) were recruited and randomised, 28 to TAU and 26 to FIT+TAU. The retention rate at day 180 was 43%. FIT was delivered adequately by most alcohol nurses. 50% of intervention participants completed FIT sessions 1 and 2. There were no differences in alcohol use or severity of alcohol dependence between treatment groups at day 180.
CONCLUSION: Participants with ARLD and AUD could be recruited to a trial of FIT versus FIT+TAU. However, retention at day 180 was suboptimal. Before conducting a definitive trial of FIT in this patient group, modifications in the intervention and recruitment/retention strategy must be tested.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN41353774.
DOI
10.1136/bmjgast-2023-001267
Publication Date
2024-01-29
Publication Title
BMJ Open Gastroenterology
Volume
11
Issue
1
ISSN
2054-4774
Embargo Period
2024-02-09
Organisational Unit
Peninsula Medical School
Keywords
Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Female, Alcoholism/complications, Pilot Projects, Treatment Outcome, Liver
Recommended Citation
Dhanda, A., Andrade, J., Allende, H., Allgar, V., Bailey, M., Callaghan, L., Cocking, L., Goodwin, E., Hawton, A., Hayward, C., Hudson, B., Ingram, W., Jeffery, A., King, A., Lavers, V., Lomax, J., McCune, C., Musicha, C., Parker, R., Rollinson, C., Wilks, J., & Creanor, E. (2024) 'Mental Imagery to Reduce Alcohol-related harm in patients with alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related liver damaGE', BMJ Open Gastroenterology, 11(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgast-2023-001267
