Assessment reactivity to follow-up in a study of women's treatment for alcohol dependence

Little research has been conducted on symptom reductions in response to assessments in clinical trials, despite the impact such reactivity may have on interpretation of outcomes. Reactivity to data collection procedures during post-treatment follow-up may obscure treatment effects. The current study examined whether female participants (n = 102) in a trial of cognitive-behavioral treatment for alcohol dependence had lower drinking quantity and frequency immediately after participating in follow-up assessments. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to compare each participant's drinking among two-week time periods immediately before the follow-up, directly after the follow-up, and between follow-ups. No assessment reactivity was found for 9 or 15 month follow-up interviews, but was suggested at a 12 month in-person interview.