Using interactive voice response to enhance brief alcohol intervention in primary care settings

Area of Science:

• Behavioral science
• Public health
• Digital health technology

Background:

• Self-monitoring is recommended after brief alcohol intervention (BI).
• Previous research showed interactive voice response (IVR) self-monitoring reduced alcohol consumption without BI.
• This study explores IVR as a potential enhancement for BI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and efficacy of using IVR for self-monitoring alcohol consumption as an adjunct to BI.
• To determine if IVR, with or without feedback, improves outcomes compared to no IVR following BI.

Main Methods:

• 112 providers in 15 primary care clinics were updated on BI.
• 338 patients were randomized into four groups: no IVR, IVR with no feedback, IVR with feedback, and IVR with feedback plus incentive.
• Patients self-monitored using IVR for 6 months.

Main Results:

• IVR proved feasible, with 90% initiating use and over half continuing for 6 months.
• High reported impact on drinking awareness.
• Therapeutic results were mixed; IVR groups showed higher consumption on TLFB initially, but a confound was identified.
• IVR with feedback demonstrated a significant therapeutic advantage over no feedback, independent of the confound.

Conclusions:

• Interactive voice response (IVR) is a feasible technology for behavioral self-monitoring within primary care settings.
• IVR, particularly with regular feedback, may serve as an effective therapeutic enhancement to brief alcohol interventions (BI).