Internet‐based cognitive-behavioral therapy (I-CBT) for problem drinkers: systematic review and meta-analysis (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The use of cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) for the efficient treatment of alcohol use has been validated by long‐standing evidence. However, there have been some reviews indicating the efficacy of internet‐based CBT (I-CBT) for various psychiatric conditions. OBJECTIVE To quantify the overall effectiveness of internet‐delivered CBT for problem drinkers and estimate the effect of this approach compared with control group. METHODS We conducted systematic searches in EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL up to October 2019. Descriptive data were used to characterize the nature of the literature on I-CBT for alcohol use. Meta‐analysis was performed of effect sizes from randomized controlled trials. RESULTS Fourteen randomized controlled trials for alcohol use with 11827 participants were identified and included in this study. Our results showed a significant overall effect in favor of I-CBT. I-CBT showed significant effect size (-0.23 :95% confidence interval, from -0.41 to -0.06; P = 0.008) on alcohol consumption as compared to the control group. The quality of studies varied. CONCLUSIONS This review shows that I-CBT for problem drinkers is more effective as compared to no treatment, minimal treatment, or usual care in reducing alcohol consumption. Findings of this review suggest that accessible internet‐delivered CBT may represent a cost‐effective means of treating alcohol abuse.