Web-based treatment of harmful alcohol use and alcohol dependence: A randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Johansson ◽  
Anne H Berman ◽  
Kristina Sinadinovic ◽  
Philip Lindner ◽  
Ulric Hermansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Internet Interventions ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Harmful Use ◽  
Weekly Alcohol Consumption

BACKGROUND Problematic alcohol use is a major contributor to health loss. Many people with harmful use or alcohol dependence are not reached by treatment, due to limited availability or stigma. They might use internet interventions as an alternative way of getting support. Internet interventions have previously been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption in studies that included hazardous use, but few studies with specific focus on harmful use or alcohol dependence have been conducted. The importance of internet cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) programs and therapist guidance in internet interventions are still unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of a web-based alcohol-program with or without therapist guidance. METHODS We conducted a three-armed randomized controlled trial comparing therapist-guided ICBT and self-help ICBT with an information only control condition. Help-seeking adult internet-users (n=1169) with alcohol dependence (>=3 ICD criteria) or harmful alcohol use (AUDIT>15) were included in the study during the recruitment period, from March 2015 to March 2017. Participants in the therapist-guided ICBT and self-help ICBT groups had 12-week access to a program consisting of five main and three extra modules as well as a drinking-calendar with automatic feedback. The guidance was given by experienced therapists trained in motivational interviewing. The primary outcome measure was weekly alcohol consumption in standard drinks (12 g of ethanol). Secondary outcomes were alcohol related problems measured with the total AUDIT-score, diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence (ICD-10 criteria) and Alcohol Use Disorder (DSM-5), depression (MADRS-S), anxiety (GAD-7), health (EQ-5D-5L), readiness to change (Readiness Ruler) and access to other treatment or support. Follow-up was conducted 3 (post-treatment) and 6 months after recruitment. RESULTS Participants had a mean age of 45 (SD=13) years and 56% were women. At 3-months follow-up the therapist-guided ICBT and control group differed significantly in weekly alcohol consumption (-3.84, 95 CI=-6.53 to -1.16, t=2.81, p=.005, d=0.27). No significant differences were found in weekly alcohol consumption between the self-help ICBT group and the therapist-guided ICBT at 3 months, between self-help ICBT and the control group at 3 months or between any of the groups at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS In this study we did not find a therapist-guided ICBT program to be more effective than the same program as self-help ICBT in reducing alcohol consumption or other alcohol-related outcomes. In the short run therapist-guided ICBT seems be more effective than information. Only some internet help-seekers might need a multi-session program and therapist guidance in order to change their drinking when they use internet interventions. CLINICALTRIAL Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02377726, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02377726 This trial was approved by the Stockholm Regional Ethical Review Board (No. 2014/1758-31/2).

A Web-Based, Computer-Tailored Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking Among Spanish Adolescents: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Manuel Martinez-Montilla ◽  
Liesbeth Mercken ◽  
Hein de Vries ◽  
Math Candel ◽  
Joaquín Salvador Lima-Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Baseline Assessment ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Cluster Randomized

BACKGROUND Alcohol consumption, including binge drinking (BD) and heavy episodic drinking (HED), is one of the leading risk factors among Spanish adolescents leading to significant social, health, and economic consequences. Reduction of BD and HED in adolescents can be achieved using Web-based, computer-tailored (CT) interventions, providing highly personalized feedback that is adapted to a person’s individual characteristics and needs. Randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of tailored BD reduction programs among Spanish adolescents are scarce. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of the Web-based, CT intervention Alerta Alcohol, aimed at the prevention of BD in Spanish adolescents. As a secondary outcome, effects on HED, weekly consumption, and any consumption were also assessed. The adherence and process evaluation were assessed. METHODS A cluster randomized controlled trial conducted among 15 Spanish schools was developed. Each school was randomized into either an experimental condition (EC) (N=742) or a control condition (CC) (N=505). Finally, 351 participants for the EC and 261 for the CC were included in the analysis (N=612). Baseline assessment took place in January and February 2017. Demographic variables and alcohol use were assessed at baseline. Follow-up assessment of alcohol use took place 4 months later in May and June 2017. Participants were compared according to their randomization group (EC versus CC). After the baseline assessment, participants in the EC started the intervention, which consisted of short stories about BD, in which CT feedback was based on the I-Change Model for behavior change. Participants in the CC group only received the baseline questionnaire. Effects of the intervention were assessed using a three-level mixed logistic regression analysis for BD, HED, and any consumption, and a three-level mixed linear regression analysis for weekly consumption. RESULTS In total, 1247 adolescents participated in the baseline assessment and 612 participated in the follow-up assessment; the attrition rate was 50.92%. The intervention was effective in reducing HED among adolescents; the odds of HED in the CC was nine times that in the experimental condition (<i>P</i>=.04). No effects were found for BD, weekly consumption, and any consumption. Process evaluations revealed that the adolescents were satisfied with the program (68.8%), would use the program again (52.9%), and would recommend it to someone else (62.8%). Females and non-binge drinkers showed better responses in the process evaluation. CONCLUSIONS Our intervention was effective regarding HED but not regarding BD, weekly consumption, and any consumption. It may be that limiting alcohol consumption to prevent HED was easier in the Spanish context than it was to carry out further steps, such as reducing other patterns of alcohol consumption. Hence, additional actions are needed to accomplish these latter goals, including community approaches and policy actions aimed at denormalizing alcohol consumption among Spanish adolescents. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03288896; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03288896 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1186/s12889-018-5346-4

A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Web-Based Drinking Diary Program (SNAPPY-DOC Program) for Problem Drinkers in Multi Workplace Settings (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Sunami ◽  
Ryuhei So ◽  
Hironobu Ishii ◽  
Eiji Sadashima ◽  
Takefumi Ueno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Problem Drinkers ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Past ◽  
Audit Score ◽  
The Web

BACKGROUND In recent years, web-based interventions for problem drinkers have been developed, and they appear to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption in some studies. However, most of the subjects included in the studies were students or those who were recruited through web advertisements, and the dropout rates were high. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a web-based brief intervention (BI) program to record daily drinking among problem drinkers in a workplace setting. METHODS A two-armed, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted at six workplaces in Japan. A one-off 30-minute face-to-face lecture was organized at each workplace, and the study was explained. The audience who wished to participate were asked to provide their written consent immediately after the one-off lecture. Among those who wished to participate, problem drinkers with an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score of eight or higher were randomly assigned into two groups. The participants allocated to the intervention group recorded their daily alcohol consumption for four weeks using SNAPPY-DOC, while those allocated to the control group received no intervention. Outcome measures included the amount of alcohol consumption in past seven days using the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) method in SNAPPY-DOC at baseline (Week 0), 8th week (Week 8), and 12th week (Week 12) and written AUDIT score at baseline (Week 0) and 12th week (Week 12). If there was no login to the program at baseline (Week 0), 8th week (Week 8), and 12th week (Week 12), the researcher sent a reminder email to the participant one week later requesting a record. If there was still no response, a further week later, the researcher contacted the participants through the occupational health professionals or other personnel in their respective workplaces to request a record. RESULTS Hundred participants were assigned to either the intervention group (n=50) or the control group (n=50). All the participants logged into the program, and no participants dropped out of the follow-up. The results of two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant interaction between the Group and the Week factors in the two primary outcomes (number of alcohol-free days in the past seven days, total drinks in the past seven days in standard units) and secondary outcomes (AUDIT score) (P=.04, .02, and .03, respectively). The intervention group had reduced alcohol consumption from 329 g to 246 g per week on average at the 12-week evaluation (P<.001), while the control group had reduced from 294 g to 276 g per week on average (P=.83). CONCLUSIONS The web-based BI program for problem drinkers (SNAPPY-DOC program) was considered to be low-cost, effective, and acceptable for implementation in actual workplace settings. CLINICALTRIAL University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000037698; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000042703

A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Web-Based Drinking Diary Program (SNAPPY-DOC Program) for Problem Drinkers in Multi Workplace Settings (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Sunami ◽  
Ryuhei So ◽  
Hironobu Ishii ◽  
Eiji Sadashima ◽  
Takefumi Ueno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Problem Drinkers ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Past ◽  
Audit Score ◽  
The Web

BACKGROUND In recent years, web-based interventions for problem drinkers have been developed, and they appear to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption in some studies. However, most of the subjects included in the studies were students or those who were recruited through web advertisements, and the dropout rates were high. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a web-based brief intervention (BI) program to record daily drinking among problem drinkers in a workplace setting. METHODS A two-armed, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted at six workplaces in Japan. A one-off 30-minute face-to-face lecture was organized at each workplace, and the study was explained. The audience who wished to participate were asked to provide their written consent immediately after the one-off lecture. Among those who wished to participate, problem drinkers with an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score of eight or higher were randomly assigned into two groups. The participants allocated to the intervention group recorded their daily alcohol consumption for four weeks using SNAPPY-DOC, while those allocated to the control group received no intervention. Outcome measures included the amount of alcohol consumption in past seven days using the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) method in SNAPPY-DOC at baseline (Week 0), 8th week (Week 8), and 12th week (Week 12) and written AUDIT score at baseline (Week 0) and 12th week (Week 12). If there was no login to the program at 8th week (Week 8), and 12th week (Week 12), the researcher sent a reminder email to the participant one week later requesting a record. If there was still no response, a further week later, the researcher contacted the participants through the occupational health professionals or other personnel in their respective workplaces to request a record. RESULTS Hundred participants were assigned to either the intervention group (n=50) or the control group (n=50). All the participants logged into the program, and no participants dropped out of the follow-up. The results of two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant interaction between the Group and the Week factors in the two primary outcomes (number of alcohol-free days in the past seven days, total drinks in the past seven days in standard units) and secondary outcomes (AUDIT score) (P=.04, .02, and .03, respectively). The intervention group had reduced alcohol consumption from 329 g to 246 g per week on average at the 12-week evaluation (P<.001), while the control group had reduced from 294 g to 276 g per week on average (P=.83). CONCLUSIONS The web-based BI program for problem drinkers (SNAPPY-DOC program) was considered to be low-cost, effective, and acceptable for implementation in actual workplace settings. CLINICALTRIAL University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000037698; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000042703

scholarly journals Does providing a brief internet intervention for hazardous alcohol use to people seeking online help for depression reduce both alcohol use and depression symptoms among participants with these co-occurring disorders? Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e022412 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A Cunningham ◽  
Christian S Hendershot ◽  
Frances Kay-Lambkin ◽  
Clayton Neighbors ◽  
Kathleen M Griffiths ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Internet Intervention ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽  
Internet Interventions ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Consumption

IntroductionHazardous alcohol consumption is common among people experiencing depression, often acting to exacerbate depressive symptoms. While many people with these co-occurring disorders do not seek face-to-face treatment, they do seek help online. There are effective internet interventions that target hazardous alcohol consumption or depression separately but none that combine these online interventions without the involvement of a therapist. In order to realise the potential of internet interventions, we need to develop an evidence base supporting the efficacy of internet interventions for co-occurring depression and hazardous alcohol use without any therapist involvement. This study aims to evaluate the effects on drinking, and on depressive symptoms, of combining an internet intervention targeting hazardous alcohol consumption with one for depression.Methods and analysisA double blinded, parallel group randomised controlled trial will be used. Participants with current depression who also drink in a hazardous fashion (n=986) will be recruited for a study to ‘help improve an online intervention for depression’. Participants will be randomised either to receive an established online intervention for depression (MoodGYM) or to receive MoodGYM plus a brief internet intervention for hazardous alcohol consumption (Check Your Drinking; CYD). Participants will be contacted 3 and 6 months after receiving the interventions to assess changes in drinking and depression symptoms. It is predicted that participants receiving the CYD intervention in addition to MoodGYM will report greater postintervention reductions in alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms compared with those who received MoodGYM only. Hypothesised mediation and moderation effects will also be investigated. Using an intention-to-treat basis for the analyses, the hypotheses will be tested using a generalised linear hypothesis framework, and longitudinal analyses will use either generalised linear mixed modelling or generalised estimating equation approach where appropriate.Ethics and disseminationThis research comprises the crucial first steps in developing lower-cost and efficacious internet interventions for people suffering from depression who also drink in a hazardous fashion—promoting the widespread availability of care for those in need. This study has been approved by the standing ethics review committee of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and findings will be disseminated in the form of at least one peer-reviewed article and presentations at conferences.Trial registration numberNCT03421080; Pre-results.

scholarly journals A Web-Based, Computer-Tailored Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking Among Spanish Adolescents: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/15438 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. e15438
Author(s):  
José Manuel Martinez-Montilla ◽  
Liesbeth Mercken ◽  
Hein de Vries ◽  
Math Candel ◽  
Joaquín Salvador Lima-Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Baseline Assessment ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Cluster Randomized

Background Alcohol consumption, including binge drinking (BD) and heavy episodic drinking (HED), is one of the leading risk factors among Spanish adolescents leading to significant social, health, and economic consequences. Reduction of BD and HED in adolescents can be achieved using Web-based, computer-tailored (CT) interventions, providing highly personalized feedback that is adapted to a person’s individual characteristics and needs. Randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of tailored BD reduction programs among Spanish adolescents are scarce. Objective The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of the Web-based, CT intervention Alerta Alcohol, aimed at the prevention of BD in Spanish adolescents. As a secondary outcome, effects on HED, weekly consumption, and any consumption were also assessed. The adherence and process evaluation were assessed. Methods A cluster randomized controlled trial conducted among 15 Spanish schools was developed. Each school was randomized into either an experimental condition (EC) (N=742) or a control condition (CC) (N=505). Finally, 351 participants for the EC and 261 for the CC were included in the analysis (N=612). Baseline assessment took place in January and February 2017. Demographic variables and alcohol use were assessed at baseline. Follow-up assessment of alcohol use took place 4 months later in May and June 2017. Participants were compared according to their randomization group (EC versus CC). After the baseline assessment, participants in the EC started the intervention, which consisted of short stories about BD, in which CT feedback was based on the I-Change Model for behavior change. Participants in the CC group only received the baseline questionnaire. Effects of the intervention were assessed using a three-level mixed logistic regression analysis for BD, HED, and any consumption, and a three-level mixed linear regression analysis for weekly consumption. Results In total, 1247 adolescents participated in the baseline assessment and 612 participated in the follow-up assessment; the attrition rate was 50.92%. The intervention was effective in reducing HED among adolescents; the odds of HED in the CC was nine times that in the experimental condition (P=.04). No effects were found for BD, weekly consumption, and any consumption. Process evaluations revealed that the adolescents were satisfied with the program (68.8%), would use the program again (52.9%), and would recommend it to someone else (62.8%). Females and non-binge drinkers showed better responses in the process evaluation. Conclusions Our intervention was effective regarding HED but not regarding BD, weekly consumption, and any consumption. It may be that limiting alcohol consumption to prevent HED was easier in the Spanish context than it was to carry out further steps, such as reducing other patterns of alcohol consumption. Hence, additional actions are needed to accomplish these latter goals, including community approaches and policy actions aimed at denormalizing alcohol consumption among Spanish adolescents. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03288896; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03288896 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1186/s12889-018-5346-4

scholarly journals Improving the Course of Depressive Symptoms After Inpatient Psychotherapy Using Adjunct Web-Based Self-Help: Follow-Up Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/13655 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. e13655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rüdiger Zwerenz ◽  
Carlotta Baumgarten ◽  
Jan Becker ◽  
Ana Tibubos ◽  
Martin Siepmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Inpatient Psychotherapy ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Help ◽  
The Web

Background We recently showed in a randomized controlled trial that Web-based self-help as an adjunct improved the effectiveness of multimodal inpatient psychotherapy for depression. Objective The aims of this study were (1) to determine whether a Web-based self-help adjunctive to multimodal inpatient psychotherapeutic treatment could also improve the course of depressive symptoms and (2) to identify predictors of residual depressive symptoms at follow-up. Methods Overall, 229 patients were randomized either to the Web-based self-help intervention group (Deprexis) or an active control group (Web-based information about depression and depressive symptoms) in addition to multimodal inpatient psychotherapy. Participants in both groups were able to access their respective Web-based programs for 12 weeks, which meant that they typically had access after discharge from the inpatient unit (mean hospitalization duration: 40 days, T1). Follow-up was performed 6 months after study intake (T3). Results At follow-up, participants of the Web-based self-help group had considerably lower symptom load regarding depressive symptoms (d=0.58) and anxiety (d=0.46) as well as a better quality of life (d=0.43) and self-esteem (d=0.31) than participants of the control group. Nearly 3 times as many participants of the intervention group compared with the control group achieved remission in accordance with less deterioration. The number needed to treat based on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) improved over time (T1: 7.84, T2: 7.09, and T3: 5.12). Significant outcome predictors were BDI at discharge and treatment group. Conclusions Web-based self-help as an add-on to multimodal inpatient psychotherapy improved the short-term course of depressive symptoms beyond termination. Residual symptoms at discharge from inpatient treatment and utilization of the Web-based self-help were the major predictors of depressive symptoms at follow-up. Challenges and barriers (eg, costs, therapists’ concerns, or technical barriers) of adding Web-based interventions to inpatient treatment have to be addressed. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02196896; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02196896.

scholarly journals Improving the Course of Depressive Symptoms After Inpatient Psychotherapy Using Adjunct Web-Based Self-Help: Follow-Up Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rüdiger Zwerenz ◽  
Carlotta Baumgarten ◽  
Jan Becker ◽  
Ana Tibubos ◽  
Martin Siepmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Inpatient Psychotherapy ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Help ◽  
The Web

BACKGROUND We recently showed in a randomized controlled trial that Web-based self-help as an adjunct improved the effectiveness of multimodal inpatient psychotherapy for depression. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were (1) to determine whether a Web-based self-help adjunctive to multimodal inpatient psychotherapeutic treatment could also improve the course of depressive symptoms and (2) to identify predictors of residual depressive symptoms at follow-up. METHODS Overall, 229 patients were randomized either to the Web-based self-help intervention group (Deprexis) or an active control group (Web-based information about depression and depressive symptoms) in addition to multimodal inpatient psychotherapy. Participants in both groups were able to access their respective Web-based programs for 12 weeks, which meant that they typically had access after discharge from the inpatient unit (mean hospitalization duration: 40 days, T1). Follow-up was performed 6 months after study intake (T3). RESULTS At follow-up, participants of the Web-based self-help group had considerably lower symptom load regarding depressive symptoms (<italic>d</italic>=0.58) and anxiety (<italic>d</italic>=0.46) as well as a better quality of life (<italic>d</italic>=0.43) and self-esteem (<italic>d</italic>=0.31) than participants of the control group. Nearly 3 times as many participants of the intervention group compared with the control group achieved remission in accordance with less deterioration. The number needed to treat based on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) improved over time (T1: 7.84, T2: 7.09, and T3: 5.12). Significant outcome predictors were BDI at discharge and treatment group. CONCLUSIONS Web-based self-help as an add-on to multimodal inpatient psychotherapy improved the short-term course of depressive symptoms beyond termination. Residual symptoms at discharge from inpatient treatment and utilization of the Web-based self-help were the major predictors of depressive symptoms at follow-up. Challenges and barriers (eg, costs, therapists’ concerns, or technical barriers) of adding Web-based interventions to inpatient treatment have to be addressed. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02196896; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02196896.

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