Development and evaluation of a mobile intervention for heavy drinking and smoking among college students.

Abstract

Nearly all college student smokers also drink alcohol, and smoking and heavy-episodic drinking (HED) commonly co-occur. However, few studies have examined the factors that concurrently influence smoking and HED among college students and, to date, no interventions have been developed that target both HED and smoking in this population. The objective of the current study was to develop and evaluate a mobile feedback intervention that targeted HED and smoking. Participants (n = 94) were non-treatment seeking college students (mean age = 20.5, SD=1.7) who engaged in at least one HED episode in the past two weeks and reported concurrent smoking and drinking at least once a week. Participants were randomized to either receive the mobile intervention for 14 days, complete mobile assessments (without intervention) for 14 days, or complete minimal assessments (without intervention or mobile assessments). At a 1-month follow-up, in comparison to the minimal assessment condition we observed significant reductions in the number of cigarettes per smoking day in both the mobile intervention (d=0.55) and mobile assessment conditions (d=0.45). Among those randomized to the mobile intervention, receiving more modules of the intervention was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of any drinking during the 14-day assessment period and significant reductions in smoking at 1-month follow-up. The mobile intervention did not result in significant reductions in HED or concurrent smoking and drinking. Future research should continue to examine ways of using technology and the real-time environment to improve interventions for HED and smoking.

Clinical Feasibility of a Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention App (iREST) as a Behavioral Sleep Treatment in a Military Population: Feasibility Comparative Effectiveness Study (Preprint)

“…To do so, we compared the clinical outcomes of the JITAI with "treatment-as-usual" (face-to-face treatment). Consistent with previous JITAI studies [18,[32][33][34][35], we found that the implementation of personalized and time-varying JITAI approach improved the outcome of traditional evidence-based treatment. In the current study, we found that the iREST intervention was associated with slightly higher rates-although not statistically significant-of response and remission compared to our previous traditional behavioral approach [16].…”

Effectiveness of Mobile Apps for Smoking Cessation: Α Review

“…The review studies also suggest the possible benefit of application as they can provide audio, video and text-based intervention under a single platform. They are possibly cost effective, easy to deliver and implement [39][40][41] . All studies have reported the positive influence of mobile applications on quit rate.…”

Using Facebook to address smoking and heavy drinking in young adults: Protocol for a randomized, controlled trial

“…A trial testing the effectiveness of a 14-day mobile feedback intervention jointly targeting smoking and HED resulted in a decrease in the number of cigarettes smoked compared to a minimal assessment control condition, but did not reduce HED or concurrent smoking and drinking at 1 month follow-up [5]. Given the ongoing, significant public health impact of alcohol and tobacco use, more research is needed to determine how best to harness digital tools to target smoking and HED in young adults.…”