Electronic Interventions for Alcohol Misuse and Alcohol Use Disorders: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND

The use of electronic interventions (e-interventions) may improve treatment of alcohol misuse.

PURPOSE

To characterize treatment intensity and systematically review the evidence for efficacy of e-interventions, relative to controls, for reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related impairment in adults and college students.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE (via PubMed) from January 2000 to March 2015 and the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PsycINFO from January 2000 to August 2014.

STUDY SELECTION

English-language, randomized, controlled trials that involved at least 50 adults who misused alcohol; compared an e-intervention group with a control group; and reported outcomes at 6 months or longer.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers abstracted data and independently rated trial quality and strength of evidence.

DATA SYNTHESIS

In 28 unique trials, the modal e-intervention was brief feedback on alcohol consumption. Available data suggested a small reduction in consumption (approximately 1 drink per week) in adults and college students at 6 months but not at 12 months. There was no statistically significant effect on meeting drinking limit guidelines in adults or on binge-drinking episodes or social consequences of alcohol in college students.

LIMITATIONS

E-interventions that ranged in intensity were combined in analyses. Quantitative results do not apply to short-term outcomes or alcohol use disorders.

CONCLUSION

Evidence suggests that low-intensity e-inter ventions produce small reductions in alcohol consumption at 6 months, but there is little evidence for longer-term, clinically significant effects, such as meeting drinking limits. Future e-interventions could provide more intensive treatment and possibly human support to assist persons in meeting recommended drinking limits.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.