Efficacy of a web‐based intervention with and without guidance for employees with risky drinking: results of a three‐arm randomized controlled trial

Abstract

AimsTo test the efficacy of a web‐based alcohol intervention with and without guidance.DesignThree parallel groups with primary end‐point after 6 weeks.SettingOpen recruitment in the German working population.ParticipantsAdults (178 males/256 females, mean age 47 years) consuming at least 21/14 weekly standard units of alcohol (SUA) and scoring ≥ 8/6 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test.InterventionFive web‐based modules including personalized normative feedback, motivational interviewing, goal setting, problem‐solving and emotion regulation during 5 weeks. One intervention group received an unguided self‐help version (n=146) and the second received additional adherence‐focused guidance by eCoaches (n=144). Controls were on a waiting list with full access to usual care (n=144).MeasurementsPrimary outcome was weekly consumed SUA after 6 weeks. SUA after 6 months was examined as secondary outcome, next to numbers of participants drinking within the low‐risk range, and general and work‐specific mental health measures.FindingsAll groups showed reductions of mean weekly SUA after 6 weeks (unguided: −8.0; guided: −8.5; control: −3.2). There was no significant difference between the unguided and guided intervention (P=0.324). Participants in the combined intervention group reported significantly fewer SUA than controls [B=−4.85, 95% confidence interval (CI)=−7.02 to −2.68, P < 0.001]. The intervention groups also showed significant reductions in SUA consumption after 6 months (B=−5.72, 95% CI=−7.71 to −3.73, P < 0.001) and improvements regarding general and work‐related mental health outcomes after 6 weeks and 6 months.ConclusionsA web‐based alcohol intervention, administered with or without personal guidance, significantly reduced mean weekly alcohol consumption and improved mental health and work‐related outcomes in the German working population.

Effectiveness of occupational e-mental health interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…The five studies on alcohol intake reported conflicting results. Two studies on alcohol intake reported small treatment effects (48,76), while two other studies did not use comparable measures and reported improvements only for binge drinking and consumption reduction (34,35). The fifth study (68) reported the opposite effect, namely, higher alcohol consumption in the intervention group.…”

Intention to reduce drinking alcohol and preferred sources of support: An international cross-sectional study

“…For example, a study among college students identified that they preferred informal sources of support, such as talking to friends, over online tools (Buscemi et al, 2010). Other research suggests that anonymity offered by online tools may be more appealing for those with harmful alcohol use, who may be concerned about stigma associated with help seeking (Khadjesari, Stevenson, Godfrey, & Murray, 2015), and they may be convenient for people who work full time (Boss et al, 2018). However, digital interventions may not be accessible to some population groups such as the homeless, those in prison, or the elderly.…”

Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness of Personalized Tele-Based Coaching for Farmers, Foresters and Gardeners to Prevent Depression: Study Protocol of an 18-Month Follow-Up Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial (TEC-A)

“…Intervention satisfaction. At post-treatment (T1) and the first follow-up (T2) participants' satisfaction with the personalized tele-based coaching is measured using a German Version of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8, adapted version for internet interventions: CSQ-I) (66)(67)(68). In the IG, the CSQ-I will be adapted for telephone coaching (the original CSQ-8 is validated only in face-to-face contexts).…”

“…In the IG, the CSQ-I will be adapted for telephone coaching (the original CSQ-8 is validated only in face-to-face contexts). The CSQ-8 as well the CSQ-I consist of eight items (4-point Likert scale) and report a high internal consistency (α = 0.87 and 0.93) (67,68). An adapted version of the CSQ-I will be used for the assessment of participant's satisfaction with the information material received in the CG.…”