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Effect of the MyDéfi Smartphone Application on Binge Drinking Among University Students: Protocol of a Double-Blind Multicenter Prospective National Randomized Controlled Trial Using Phosphatidylethanol as a Biomarker-The SMARTBINGE Trial

André C, Sauton P, Dreinaza M, Diouf M, Bodeau S, Martinetti M, Trouillet R, de Groote C et al.

International journal of methods in psychiatric research, 2025

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to describe a study protocol of a clinical trial exploring the effectiveness of the new mobile application MyDéfi proposing personalized feedback, on both alcohol consumption and quality of life, as well as the blood alcohol exposure biomarker phosphatidylethanol, in university students displaying binge drinking behavior.

Methods: This prospective national multicentric randomized, two-arm (1:1), double-blind controlled trial will recruit 628 students (aged 18-25 years) with binge drinking behavior. Participants will be randomized in the "intervention" group (personalized feedback) or the "control" group (generic feedback) and will undergo four monthly visits. Monthly dried blood spot sample for measuring phosphatidylethanol concentration and online questionnaires will be collected. Our primary objective is to assess the reduction weekly standard drinks, through self-report gathered via MyDéfi. Secondary objectives will evaluate the application's impact on the dosage of phosphatidylethanol blood concentration and on quality of life".

Results: Recruitment started in March 2024 and will end in March 2026.

Conclusion: This study aims to determine the effectiveness of two versions of the same mobile application (generic vs. personalized feedback) on alcohol consumption in students displaying binge drinking behavior. The effectiveness of the application will be measured, with a secondary objective of quantifying phosphatidylethanol. Our…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.

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