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Meta-Analysis
. 2011 Jun 30;13(2):e42.
doi: 10.2196/jmir.1691.

Effectiveness of E-self-help interventions for curbing adult problem drinking: a meta-analysis

Heleen Riper  1 , Viola Spek, Brigitte Boon, Barbara Conijn, Jeannet Kramer, Katherina Martin-Abello, Filip Smit
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effectiveness of E-self-help interventions for curbing adult problem drinking: a meta-analysis

Heleen Riper et al. J Med Internet Res. .

Abstract

Background: Self-help interventions without professional contact to curb adult problem drinking in the community are increasingly being delivered via the Internet.

Objective: The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the overall effectiveness of these eHealth interventions.

Methods: In all, 9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), all from high-income countries, with 9 comparison conditions and a total of 1553 participants, were identified, and their combined effectiveness in reducing alcohol consumption was evaluated by means of a meta-analysis.

Results: An overall medium effect size (g = 0.44, 95% CI 0.17-0.71, random effect model) was found for the 9 studies, all of which compared no-contact interventions to control conditions. The medium effect was maintained (g = 0.39; 95% CI 0.23-0.57, random effect model) after exclusion of two outliers. Type of control group, treatment location, type of analysis, and sample size did not have differential impacts on treatment outcome. A significant difference (P = .04) emerged between single-session personalized normative feedback interventions (g = 0.27, 95% CI 0.11-0.43) and more extended e- self-help (g = 0.61, 95% CI 0.33-0.90).

Conclusion: E-self-help interventions without professional contact are effective in curbing adult problem drinking in high-income countries. In view of the easy scalability and low dissemination costs of such interventions, we recommend exploration of whether these could broaden the scope of effective public health interventions in low- and middle-income countries as well.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of study selection resulting in inclusion of 9 studies and 9 comparisons
Figure 2
Figure 2
Meta-analysis of studies (omitting outliers)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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