General Questions
What devices can I use to participate in the study? Can I switch devices depending on where I am?
The online survey has been optimised to be completed on your phone, tablet and other mobile devices, however, the Re-Train Your Brain program must be accessed via a PC or laptop, with a computer mouse. The program is currently supported by Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari, however it is not currently supported by Internet Explorer. If you have any technical issues accessing the program, please contact us.
You are welcome to switch between laptops/PCs over the course of the study (for example, if you start the study on your computer but go on holidays during one of the study weeks, you can do the study from another laptop or computer). Just make sure to know your unique ID code.
What is the structure of the study?
The purpose of this study is to investigate a new, experimental anxiety and alcohol use reduction program called Re-Train Your Brain. The program consists of three simple steps:
- One initial online assessment (including a survey and cognitive assessment)
- Complete either 10 brain training sessions over 5 weeks (plus treatment as usual), or treatment as usual only
- Two follow-up assessments over 3 months (including a survey and cognitive assessment at each occasion).
The program runs over the course of five weeks (two training sessions per week) with two-follow-up assessments, one 6 weeks and another 3 months after the initial assessment. Each of the training sessions will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. The online assessments (including a survey and cognitive assessment) will take approximately 45mins and you will receive a $30 Prezzee gift voucher for your time at each occasion. Additionally, over the course of 5 weeks, participants will be asked to complete a weekly 5-minute assessment to record any changes in anxiety symptoms and alcohol use ($5 Prezzee e-gift voucher for each of the 10 assessments, with an accumulated voucher paid at the end of the 5-week period.
I have limited computer skills. Can I still participate?
Yes. Anyone with access to the Internet and an email address is welcome to participate. If you can access your email and use an Internet browser, you have the skills needed to complete the study. No special skills are required. Throughout the study, we will send you emails to update you on your progress and to remind you of upcoming tasks. You can also email us if you have any questions: retrainyourbrain.project@sydney.edu.au
What if I no longer want to participate?
If you decide to participate in the Re-Train Your Brain study and later decide you would like to withdraw, please contact us. Your decision whether to let them participate will not affect your/their relationship with the researchers or anyone else at the University of Sydney, now or in the future.
Is my information secure?
The Re-Train Your Brain study stores all of your personal information securely, meeting best practice standards for data encryption and storage.
Who is the Re-Train Your Brain intervention intended for?
The program is aimed at young Australians aged 18-30 years who are experiencing heightened anxiety and hazardous alcohol use.
I started the survey but didn’t finish. How do I continue?
Please contact the Chief Investigator (Dr Katrina Prior) and she will send you a survey link to continue with your responses.
Can I pass the details of the study on to my friends so they can participate?
Yes, you are more than welcome to tell other young people who experience anxiety or alcohol use problems about the study.
What does evidence-based mean?
To say that a resource is "evidence-based" is to say that it is informed or supported by evidence. The evidence that supports or backs up a particular resource may take different forms. In the case of the Re-Train Your Brain program, "evidence-based" means that the treatment provided is backed by scientific research studies.