Efficacy of a web‐based intervention with and without guidance for employees with risky drinking: results of a three‐arm randomized controlled trial. (4th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boß, Leif; Lehr, Dirk; Schaub, Michael Patrick; Paz Castro, Raquel; Riper, Heleen; Berking, Matthias; Ebert, David Daniel
• Is Part Of: Addiction. Volume 113:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 635
• Page End: 646
• Publication Date: 2017-12-04
• Subjects: Alcohol -- drinking -- employee -- internet -- mental health -- occupational health -- training -- treatment; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1111/add.14085
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-2140

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: To test the efficacy of a web‐based alcohol intervention with and without guidance. Design: Three parallel groups with primary end‐point after 6 weeks. Setting: Open recruitment in the German working population. Participants: Adults (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. Intervention: Five 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). Measurements: Primary 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. Findings: All 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. Conclusions: A 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.