Randomized controlled trial of a brief versus extended Internet intervention for problem drinkers

John A Cunningham, Gillian W. Shorter, Michelle Murphy, Vladimir Kushnir, Jurgen Rehm, Christian S Hendershot

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Brief Internet interventions have been shown to reduce alcohol consumption. This trial intended to compare the effects of one such brief intervention to an extended Internet intervention for problem drinkers.Method: Using online advertising, 490 participants, 18 years or older, were recruited and randomized to receive a brief (CheckYourDrinking.net) versus an extended (AlcoholHelpCentre.net) Internet intervention and were followed up at 6, 12, and 24 months. The per protocol primary analysis assessed difference between condition at the 12-month follow-up.Results: The follow-up rate at 12 months was 83.3 %. ANCOVAs of the primary (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT)-C) and secondary outcome variables (drinks in atypical week, highest number of drinks on one occasion—baseline drinking as covariate) revealed no significant (p > 0.05) differences between the interventions. Similarly, combined analyses of the 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up revealed no significant differences between interventions at all time points.Conclusion: The present study does not provide support for the added benefit of an extended Internet intervention for problem drinkers over a brief Internet intervention.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)760–767
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Volume24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Oct 2016

Bibliographical note

This is an open access article

Keywords

  • Alcohol
  • Internet intervention
  • Randomized controlled trial
  • RCT
  • Problem drinking
  • Alcohol brief intervention
  • Screening and brief interventions
  • hazardous drinking

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