Efficacy of an Online Self-Help Treatment for Comorbid Alcohol Misuse and Emotional Problems in Young Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

BackgroundAlcohol misuse and emotional problems (ie, depression and anxiety) are highly comorbid among Canadian young adults. However, there is a lack of integrated, accessible, and evidence-based treatment options for these young adults.ObjectiveThe main goal of this study is to develop and test the efficacy of an integrated, online self-help program designed to target both alcohol misuse and emotional problems.MethodsA two-arm randomized controlled trial design will be used to compare the efficacy of the online integrated treatment to a psychoeducational control group. A target sample of 214 participants will be recruited and randomly assigned to either condition. The integrated treatment will last 8 weeks, and participants will work through 12 modules. Modules will incorporate content based on principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Participants in the control group will receive links to psychoeducational resources and will have access to the full treatment after follow-up. The primary outcome will be the number of Canadian standard drinks consumed in the week leading up the assessment. Secondary outcomes of interest include symptoms of depression, anxiety, alcohol-related problems, quality of life, and use of other drugs. Assessments will be completed at 3 time-points: at baseline, at the end of treatment (ie, 8 weeks), and at follow-up (ie, 24 weeks). Upon completion, data will be analyzed using generalized linear mixed models.ResultsData collection began in June 2018 and will continue until January 2020. Final study results will be submitted for publication by July 2020.ConclusionsCurrently, there are no integrated treatments designed to target alcohol misuse and the range of emotional problems experienced by young adults. This research stands to provide an effective, accessible (ie, Web-based), and feasible option to treat the many struggling young adults in this country.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03406039; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03406039 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/72fDefnrh)Registered Report IdentifierPRR1-10.2196/11298

Efficacy of a minimally guided internet treatment for alcohol misuse and emotional problems in young adults: Results of a randomized controlled trial

“…The intervention was pre-registered on clinicaltrials.gov for traceability (ID: NCT03406039) and was updated at each stage of the research process. The procedure was conducted in accordance with the published protocol ( Frohlich et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Modules ranged in length from 3 to 13 pages ( M = 9.4), which included both educational text and self-directed activities. Extensive information, including module content is included in the previously published protocol ( Frohlich et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Next, in accordance with the previously published protocol ( Frohlich et al, 2018 ), we used Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) with an intent-to-treat (ITT) framework to examine immediate treatment effects at T1, thus testing Hypotheses 1 (primary outcome) and 2 (secondary outcomes). GLMM was also used to examine longer-term treatment effects at follow-up (i.e., T2), thus testing Hypothesis 3.…”

Optimizing internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for alcohol misuse: a study protocol for a randomized factorial trial examining the effects of a pre-treatment assessment interview and health educator guidance

“…It comprises 12 online lessons (participants are granted access to 1 to 2 lessons per week over 8 weeks), and the content is based on CBT and relapse prevention [15]. The program was originally developed by researchers in Switzerland and is currently being used in a trial in Canada aimed at young adults [38]. For the current study, the program was adapted to conform to an adult population and to the format used in other programs at the OTU.…”

Testing the efficacy of a minimal-guidance online self-help intervention for alcohol misuse in Estonia: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

“…Thus, the campaign spurred some action by 6,5 and 5.7% of the Estonian population over 18 years old, respectively. To expand this success and more effectively decrease alcohol misuse over the internet, the "Selge" program (the word"selge" has the double meaning of being clean and sober in Estonian), a minimal-guidance self-help program adapted from the "takecareofyou" program developed in Switzerland [8,9] was developed in 2018.…”