Efficacy of a web- and text messaging-based intervention to reduce problem drinking in young people: study protocol of a cluster-randomised controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundProblem drinking, particularly risky single-occasion drinking is widespread among adolescents and young adults in most Western countries. Mobile phone text messaging allows a proactive and cost-effective delivery of short messages at any time and place and allows the delivery of individualised information at times when young people typically drink alcohol. The main objective of the planned study is to test the efficacy of a combined web- and text messaging-based intervention to reduce problem drinking in young people with heterogeneous educational level.Methods/DesignA two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial with one follow-up assessment after 6 months will be conducted to test the efficacy of the intervention in comparison to assessment only. The fully-automated intervention program will provide an online feedback based on the social norms approach as well as individually tailored mobile phone text messages to stimulate (1) positive outcome expectations to drink within low-risk limits, (2) self-efficacy to resist alcohol and (3) planning processes to translate intentions to resist alcohol into action. Program participants will receive up to two weekly text messages over a time period of 3 months. Study participants will be 934 students from approximately 93 upper secondary and vocational schools in Switzerland. Main outcome criterion will be risky single-occasion drinking in the past 30 days preceding the follow-up assessment.DiscussionThis is the first study testing the efficacy of a combined web- and text messaging-based intervention to reduce problem drinking in young people. Given that this intervention approach proves to be effective, it could be easily implemented in various settings, and it could reach large numbers of young people in a cost-effective way.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN59944705.

Moderators of outcome in a technology-based intervention to prevent and reduce problem drinking among adolescents

“…Gender and age were included based on their relevance in previous research (Chiauzzi et al, 2005;Grossbard et al, 2016;Henson et al, 2015;LaBrie et al, 2009). Although the intervention was designed to be suitable for adolescents with different immigration and educational backgrounds (Haug, Kowatsch, Paz Castro, Filler, & Schaub, 2014), it cannot be guaranteed that the contents of the web-or text messaging-based intervention is similarly attractive and comprehendible for participants with different backgrounds. This exploration appeared relevant, since other studies had a rather homogeneous sample with respect to these characteristics (e.g.…”

Realising the technological promise of smartphones in addiction research and treatment: An ethical review

“…There is great potential of mHealth technology, yet it is imperative that we first address these ethical considerations to ensure that we capitalise on the possible benefits of these technologies while minimising the potential risks to the users. BinDhim et al, 2014;Borland et al, 2013;Bricker et al, 2014;Buller et al, 2014;Haug et al, 2014;Hertzberg et al, 2013;Kirchner et al, 2013;Meredith et al, 2014;V. Patel, Nowostawski, Thomson, Wilson, & Medlin, 2013;Ploderer et al, 2014;Reitzel et al, 2014; Whittaker, 2011) Alcohol 12 (34.3%) (Bendtsen & Bendtsen, 2014;Dulin et al, 2014;Gajecki et al, 2014;Gamito et al, 2014;Haug et al, 2014;Kauer, Reid, Sanci, & Patton, 2009;Matsumura, Yamakoshi, & Ida, 2009;McTavish et al, 2012;Renner, 2012;Yu et al, 2012) Heroin 2 (5.7%) Epstein et al, 2009) Cocaine 1 (2.9%) (Freedman, Lester, McNamara, Milby, & Schumacher, 2006) General 3 (8.6%) (Campling, 2011;Ingersoll et al, 2014; Bendtsen & Bendtsen, 2014;BinDhim et al, 2014;Borland et al, 2013;Bricker et al, 2014;Buller et al, 2014;Dulin et al, 2014;Hasin et al, 2014;Haug et al, 2014;Ingersoll et al, 2014;Ploderer et al, 2014;…”

“…User anonymity 13 (38.2% a ) BinDhim et al, 2014;Borland et al, 2013;Freedman et al, 2006;Gajecki et al, 2014;Haug et al, 2014;Matsumura et al, 2009;Renner, 2012;) Data encryption 11 (32.3% b ) BinDhim et al, 2014;Boyer et al, 2012;Gajecki et al, 2014;Gamito et al, 2014;Haug et al, 2014;Meredith et al, 2014;Renner, 2012;) Password protection 7 (24.1% c ) Hasin et al, 2014;Haug et al, 2014;Hertzberg et al, 2013;Renner, 2012;) User control 20 (69.0% d ) (Bendtsen & Bendtsen, 2014;BinDhim et al, 2014;Bricker et al, 2014;Campling, 2011;Gajecki et al, 2014;Haug et al, 2014;Hertzberg et al, 2013;Ingersoll et al, 2014;Kauer et al, 2009;Ploderer et al, 2014;Reitzel et al, 2014;Renner, 2012;Whittaker, 2011;Yu et al, 2012 Dulin et al, 2014;Epstein et al, 2009;Freedman et al, 2006;Gamito et al, 2014;Hasin et al, 2014;Ingersoll et al, 2014;Johnson et al, 2009;Kauer et al, 2009;…”

“…(Hasin, Aharonovich, & Greenstein, 2014;Haug, Kowatsch, Castro, Filler, & Schaub, 2014)). To ensure privacy from third party access, if the device is lost or stolen, a small number of apps used password protection (e.g.…”

“…A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 18 al., 2014; Haug et al, 2014;McTavish et al, 2012; M a n u s c r i p t M a n u s c r i p t 20 application was coded as NA for this ethical consideration as the users of the app were not being studied for their personal substance abuse (V. Patel et al, 2013).…”