Computer-Based Interventions for Problematic Alcohol Use: a Review of Systematic Reviews

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Behavioral science
• Public health

Background:

• Computer-based interventions offer scalable solutions for alcohol misuse.
• Understanding factors influencing effectiveness is crucial for optimizing digital health tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence on computer-based alcohol interventions.
• To identify knowledge gaps regarding intervention effectiveness moderators.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
• Searched for reviews published between 2005 and 2015.
• Included 14 systematic reviews.

Main Results:

• Computer-based alcohol interventions generally effective, with small effect sizes.
• Longer, multisession interventions showed greater effectiveness.
• Limited evidence on moderators like therapeutic orientation, guidance, and engagement.

Conclusions:

• Positive evidence supports computer-based alcohol interventions.
• Knowledge gaps exist, particularly concerning intervention moderators.
• Future research should address these gaps to refine digital health strategies.