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Identification of Behavior Change Techniques From Successful Web-Based Interventions Targeting Alcohol Consumption,
Gabrielle Humphreys1, Rebecca Evans1, Harriet Makin1
1School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|February 9, 2021
Summary
This review identified 7 key behavior change techniques (BCTs) in web-based interventions for alcohol misuse, binge eating, and gambling. These findings can guide the development of effective eHealth interventions for positive behavior change.
Area of Science:
- Digital health interventions
- Behavioral science
- Public health
Background:
- Web-based interventions offer accessible alternatives to traditional face-to-face treatments.
- These digital tools are increasingly studied for reducing alcohol misuse, binge eating, and gambling.
- A key challenge is the unclear mechanisms of action in many web-based interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and identify effective behavior change techniques (BCTs).
- To analyze BCTs within web-based interventions targeting alcohol consumption, binge eating, or gambling.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of research from the past 20 years.
- Inclusion criteria: web-based, targeting alcohol/binge eating/gambling, with pre/post measures.
- PRISMA guidelines were followed to code intervention effectiveness, study quality, and BCTs.
Main Results:
- 45 studies were included, primarily targeting alcohol misuse (71%).
- Seven frequently used BCTs were identified: problem solving, feedback, self-monitoring (behavior and outcomes), instruction, social/health consequences information, and social comparison.
- Four BCTs (feedback, self-monitoring behavior, instruction, social comparison) were consistently found across analyses.
Conclusions:
- Identified 7 core BCTs for web-based interventions in alcohol misuse, binge eating, and gambling.
- These findings can inform the creation of evidence-based eHealth interventions.
- The identified BCTs offer a foundation for developing effective digital tools for behavior change.
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