Alcohol Use & HIV:
The Less is More Study and
The PATH Study
Researchers at the University of Florida and the University of Miami are enrolling adults living with HIV for two research studies aimed at helping individuals stop or reduce alcohol use. Help further clinical research and join our studies today!
Fast Facts
diagnosed with hIV
35-70 years old
interested in reducing or stopping alcohol use
Compensation Provided
conducted in miami, FL
Study Background
Thank you for your interest in the Less is More and PATH study. The goal of these two studies is to explore interventions that may improve brain and cognitive health in adults who are living with HIV and drink alcohol in Miami and the surrounding areas. Your participation would assist in advancing important research that aims to promote positive health outcomes by better understanding the connection between alcohol, gut microbiome, and brain function in persons living with HIV who drink alcohol.
Less is More: For this study, we are aiming to extend the use of an approach called Contingency Management (CM) to living with HIV (PLWH) to reduce or stop drinking. In this case, CM involves paying people to not drink. Our approach includes the use of mobile health (mHealth) tools including a smartphone breathalyzer device with an accompanying app and a wrist worn alcohol sensor.
PATH: For this study, we are interested in improving gut health and memory by examining the effects of an investigational probiotic supplement and an investigational non-invasive nerve stimulator. In this study, participants will complete health questionnaires, thinking tasks, and an MRI. We will then show participants how to use the stimulator which looks like an iPod and headphones. This device provides a nearly undetectable electric pulse to the outer ear. Participants will use this device for one hour a day at home for 30 days. We will also give participants a probiotic supplement that they will take daily for 90 days.
Help further research and join one of our compensated studies today!
Study Background
Thank you for your interest in the Less is More and PATH study. The goal of these two studies is to explore interventions that may improve brain and cognitive health in adults who are living with HIV and drink alcohol in Miami and the surrounding areas. Your participation would assist in advancing important research that aims to promote positive health outcomes by better understanding the connection between alcohol, gut microbiome, and brain function in persons living with HIV who drink alcohol.
Less is More: For this study, we are aiming to extend the use of an approach called Contingency Management (CM) to living with HIV (PLWH) to reduce or stop drinking. In this case, CM involves paying people to not drink. Our approach includes the use of mobile health (mHealth) tools including a smartphone breathalyzer device with an accompanying app and a wrist worn alcohol sensor.
PATH: For this study, we are interested in improving gut health and memory by examining the effects of an investigational probiotic supplement and an investigational non-invasive nerve stimulator. In this study, participants will complete health questionnaires, thinking tasks, and an MRI. We will then show participants how to use the stimulator which looks like an iPod and headphones. This device provides a nearly undetectable electric pulse to the outer ear. Participants will use this device for one hour a day at home for 30 days. We will also give participants a probiotic supplement that they will take daily for 90 days.
Help further research and join one of our compensated studies today!
Additional Information
Less is More: The goal of this study is to evaluate Contingency Management as a way to help people living with HIV to reduce their drinking.
PATH: The goal of this study is to evaluate a probiotic supplement and a non-invasive nerve stimulator to improve gut health and memory in people living with HIV who drink alcohol.
You may qualify for one of the studies if you meet the following criteria.
Less Is More Criteria:
- 35-70 years old
- Living with HIV & willing to disclose status
- Drink alcohol at least weekly
- Willing to stop or reduce drinking alcohol for 30 days
- Willing to use a smartphone app and wrist-worn sensor
- No diagnosed psychotic disorders
- Not pregnant
PATH Criteria:
- 35-70 years old
- Living with HIV & willing to disclose status
- Drink alcohol at least weekly
- Willing to use stimulator (30 days) and take probiotic powder (90 days)
- Willing to disclose HIV status
- Willing to have an MRI and provide blood and stool sample
- Willing to participate in memory and thinking tasks
- No diagnosed psychotic disorders
- Not pregnant
If you meet eligibility requirements and are interested in moving on with the study, we will ask you to:
Less Is More:
- Use a smartphone app, wrist-worn sensor, and breathalyzer to reduce drinking
- Give small samples of blood, urine, saliva, and stool
- Complete questionnaires and thinking and memory tasks
PATH:
- Use a smartphone app, stimulator
- Give small samples of blood, urine, saliva, and stool
- Complete an MRI brain scan
- Take probiotics for 90 days (about 3 months)
