Studying an unreal world: incentives on Internet-based interventions for alcohol use

Factors associated with adherence to a web-based alcohol intervention among college students

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the association between student characteristics and recruitment strategies in the adherence of college students to a web-based alcohol intervention. Participants were 46,329 Brazilian students aged from 18 to 30, who consumed alcohol during the past three months. Three recruitment strategies were implemented: open invitations, and personally-addressed invitations with or without non-monetary incentives. We evaluated the educational, sociodemographic, motivational, and alcohol consumption effects on adherence using logistic regression models. Women (aOR = 1.09 [1.04; 1.14]), students with higher income (aOR = 1.32 [1.21; 1.45]), and more motivated students (aOR = 1.04 [1.03; 1.05]) were more adherent to the intervention, as well as those reporting binge drinking (aOR = 1.26 [1.19; 1.33]) and alcohol hazardous use (aOR = 1.11 [1.05; 1.18]). The use of incentives was the main factor associated with adherence (aOR = 3.69 [2.46; 5.55]). Our results may help the development of future web-based interventions related to alcohol use.

Components evaluation of a web-based personalized normative feedback intervention for alcohol use among college students: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial with a dismantling design

AIMS

To evaluate the effects of the two main components of a personalized normative feedback (PNF) [normative feedback only (NFO); and consequences feedback only (CFO)] compared with the full intervention (PNF) in reducing alcohol use and consequences.

DESIGN

Three-arm pragmatic randomized controlled trial with dismantling design and 1-, 3- and 6-month follow-ups.

SETTING

Web-based among Brazilian college students.

PARTICIPANTS

College students (aged 18-30 years) who reported alcohol use in the last 3 months (n = 5476).

INTERVENTIONS

(1) Full PNF (a) drinking profile; (b) normative comparisons; (c) practical costs; (d) alcohol consequences; (e) strategies to decrease risks; (2) NFO components (a), (b) and (e); or (3) CFO components (c), (d) and (e).

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was change in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score; secondary outcomes were the number of alcohol consequences, drinking frequency and typical/maximum number of drinks. We used mixed models with multiple imputation and a pattern-mixture model to account for attrition. Subgroup analyses considered participant motivation to know more about their drinking (less motivated versus motivated).

FINDINGS

Dismantled components reduced rather than increased AUDIT score compared to full PNF, with significant effects for NFO at 1 month [b = -0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.46; -0.002] and for CFO at 3 months (b = -0.33, 95% CI = -0.62; -0.03). Compared with PNF, NFO reduced the number of alcohol consequences at 1 month (b = -0.16, 95% CI = -0.25; -0.06) and drinking frequency at 3 months (b = -0.42, 95% CI = -0.79; -0.05), but increased the number of typical drinks at 6 months (b = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.04; 0.72). CFO reduced drinking frequency at 3 months (b = -0.37, 95% CI = -0.73; -0.01). Attrition models confirmed all results, except for the NFO effect on typical drinks and drinking frequency. Subgroup analyses indicated superiority of dismantled components among the students less motivated in knowing more about their drinking.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no evidence that either the normative or the consequences components of a web-based personalized normative feedback intervention to reduce alcohol use and its consequences contributed to intervention effects. There was some evidence of adverse effects of personalized normative feedback, and these results were driven by 20% of participants who were less motivated in knowing more about their drinking.

A systematic review of internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for alcohol misuse: study characteristics, program content and outcomes

Alcohol misuse is a common, disabling and costly issue worldwide. Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) has the potential to reduce the harms of alcohol misuse, particularly for individuals who are unable or unwilling to access face-to-face therapy. A systematic review was conducted using Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases for all relevant articles published from 1980 to January 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if (i) an ICBT intervention targeting alcohol misuse was delivered; (ii) participants were aged 18 years or older; and (iii) primary outcomes were quantity of drinking. A qualitative analysis was conducted on the content of the ICBT programs. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria. Most studies included participants from the general population, while studies conducted within clinic settings with diagnosed individuals were rare. The programs were similar in terms of included modules. Small effects were seen in studies on self-guided ICBT, while therapist-guided ICBT rendered small to large effects. The current review indicates that ICBT has a significant effect in reducing alcohol consumption. Larger studies evaluating ICBT compared to active control groups especially within clinic settings are warranted.

Pragmatic randomized controlled trial of a web-based intervention for alcohol use among Brazilian college students: Motivation as a moderating effect

BACKGROUND

Web-based personalized normative feedback (PNF) interventions are less effective than their laboratory versions. Participant motivation may account for this reduced effect, but there is only a limited amount of research into the influence of motivation on PNF effectiveness. We evaluated the effectiveness of a web-based PNF in reducing alcohol use and consequences among college students with different motivation levels.

METHODS

Pragmatic randomized controlled trial among Brazilian college drinkers aged 18-30 years (N = 4460). Participants were randomized to a Control or PNF group and followed-up after one (T1), three (T2) and six (T3) months. Outcomes were: AUDIT score (primary outcome), the number of consequences, and the typical number of drinks. Motivation for receiving the intervention was assessed with a visual analog scale (range: 0-10). Generalized mixed models assessed intervention effects via two paradigms: observed cases and attrition models.

RESULTS

PNF reduced the number of typical drinks at T1 (OR = 0.71, p = 0.002), T2 (OR = 0.60, p < 0.001) and T3 (OR = 0.68, p = 0.016), compared to the control. Motivated students (score ≥3) receiving PNF also reduced the number of typical drinks at T1 (OR = 0.60, p < 0.001), T2 (OR = 0.55, p < 0.001) and T3 (OR = 0.56, p = 0.001), compared to the control. However, the attrition models were more robust at T1 and T2. In contrast, low-motivated students receiving the PNF increased AUDIT score at T3 (b = 1.49, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention reduced alcohol use, and motivation for receiving the intervention moderated the intervention effects. Motivated students reduced their typical alcohol use, whereas low-motivated students increased their AUDIT score.

[Internet-based alcohol interventions for college students: systematic reviewIntervenciones por Internet para reducir el consumo de alcohol de los estudiantes universitarios: revisión sistemática]

Objective

To identify the main modalities of Internet-based interventions to limit alcohol use among university students, and to describe the effects of these interventions on alcohol use and related consequences.

Methods

A systematic review of PubMed, PsycINFO, and SciELO was performed using as search terms "alcohol drinking AND Internet," without date or language restrictions. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trial design, focus on college students and on Internet-based interventions, and evaluating the effects of the intervention on alcohol use or alcohol-related consequences.

Results

Thirty-six articles were analyzed. Two main intervention modalities were identified: personalized normative feedback (PNF, n=28) and multicomponent interventions (n=8). Twelve studies with PNF reported reductions in alcohol use 3 months after the intervention. Multicomponent interventions reduced alcohol use and related consequences; most studies focused on the website AlcoholEdu, which reduced alcohol consumption and the consequences of alcohol use 6 months after the intervention.

Conclusions

FNP and the AlcoholEdu website, the most frequently evaluated interventions among the selected studies, were effective in reducing alcohol use in university students. These strategies are an alternative to increase the access of university students to interventions aimed at limiting alcohol use.