Online personalized feedback intervention to reduce risky cannabis use. Randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Addiction research
• Public health interventions
• Behavioral science

Background:

• Widespread cannabis use necessitates interventions to mitigate associated risks.
• Personalized normative feedback is a promising approach in addiction treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized normative feedback intervention in reducing risky cannabis use.
• To assess the impact of the intervention on cannabis consumption and normative perceptions.

Main Methods:

• A two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 744 participants with risky cannabis use.
• Intervention group received online personalized feedback and educational materials; control group received only educational materials.
• Outcomes measured at 3- and 6-month follow-ups included days of cannabis use, risky use (ASSIST score), and normative perceptions.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found between groups in the number of days cannabis was used or the proportion engaging in risky use at follow-ups.
• Participants receiving the feedback intervention showed altered normative perceptions, estimating fewer peers used cannabis.

Conclusions:

• The personalized feedback intervention did not reduce overall cannabis consumption.
• The intervention may influence normative perceptions of cannabis use, but its impact on behavior requires further investigation.