BMJ Open Gastroenterology (Jul 2024)

Mental Imagery to Reduce Alcohol-related harm in patients with alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related liver damaGE: the MIRAGE randomised pilot trial results

  • Victoria Allgar,
  • Christopher Hayward,
  • Ashwin Dhanda,
  • Angela King,
  • Annie Hawton,
  • Ben Hudson,
  • Crispin Musicha,
  • Richard Parker,
  • Wendy Ingram,
  • Lynne Callaghan,
  • Alison Jeffery,
  • Laura Cocking,
  • C Anne McCune,
  • Elizabeth Goodwin,
  • Hannah Allende,
  • Jackie Andrade,
  • Victoria Lavers,
  • Joe Lomax,
  • Christopher Rollinson,
  • Jonny Wilks,
  • E Siobhan Creanor,
  • Matthew Bailey

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgast-2023-001267
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1

Abstract

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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.