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Computer-delivered interventions for reducing alcohol consumption: meta-analysis and meta-regression using behaviour
Nicola Black1, Barbara Mullan1,2, Louise Sharpe1
1a School of Psychology , The University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia.
Health Psychology Review
|March 22, 2016
Summary
Computer-delivered interventions (CDIs) show small but significant effects in reducing alcohol consumption. Effective strategies include personal contact, normative feedback, and commitment prompting, especially in female populations.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
- Digital Health
Background:
- Computer-delivered interventions (CDIs) are increasingly used to address alcohol consumption.
- Understanding the effectiveness of specific components within CDIs is crucial for optimizing their impact.
- Previous research has explored various behavior change techniques (BCTs) but a comprehensive analysis within CDIs for alcohol reduction is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of behavior change techniques (BCTs), theoretical underpinnings, and other characteristics of computer-delivered interventions (CDIs) aimed at reducing alcohol consumption.
- To identify which specific BCTs and intervention characteristics are associated with greater effectiveness in CDIs.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for the development of more effective CDIs for alcohol reduction.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing self-directed CDIs to assessment-only control groups.
- CDIs were coded for the presence of 42 BCTs, use of theory, and general characteristics.
- Random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression were used to assess effectiveness and identify moderators.
Main Results:
- Ninety-three CDIs were analyzed, demonstrating small but significant effects (d+ = 0.07-0.15) on reducing alcohol consumption.
- Interventions incorporating personal contact, normative information, performance feedback, commitment/goal review, and the social norms approach showed larger effects.
- Samples with a higher proportion of women also showed larger effects, while providing information on alcohol consequences was associated with smaller effects.
Conclusions:
- Specific, effective behavior change techniques (BCTs) are more impactful than numerous or elaborate approaches in CDIs for alcohol reduction.
- Findings support the targeted inclusion of techniques like personal contact and normative feedback for optimizing CDI effectiveness.
- The results offer valuable insights for both intervention design and theoretical development in digital health for substance use.
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