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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Oct;151(1):100-4.
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2013.05.058. Epub 2013 Jun 22.

Six-months outcomes of a randomised trial of supportive text messaging for depression and comorbid alcohol use disorder

Vincent I O Agyapong  1 , Declan M McLoughlin, Conor K Farren
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Six-months outcomes of a randomised trial of supportive text messaging for depression and comorbid alcohol use disorder

Vincent I O Agyapong et al. J Affect Disord. 2013 Oct.

Abstract

Background and objectives: We have previously reported that supportive text messages delivered twice daily for three months have the potential to provide personalised support for patients with depression and co-morbid Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). In this study we report the six months outcomes.

Methods: Participants (n=54) with a DSM IV diagnosis of unipolar depression and AUD who completed an in-patient dual diagnosis treatment programme were randomised to receive daily twice supportive text messages (n=26) or a fortnightly thank you text message (n=28) for three months. Primary outcome measures at six months were Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II) scores and Cumulative Abstinence Duration (CAD).

Trial registration: NCT0137868.

Results: Unlike at three months, there was no statistically significant difference in six months BDI-II scores between the intervention (n=24) and control (n=24) groups; 13.28 (SD=8.7) vs. 15.08 (SD=11.37) respectively after adjusting for the baseline scores, F (1, 45)=0.192, p=0.66. There was also no significant difference in CAD between the text message group and the control group: 84.14 days (9.20) vs. 74.73 days (28.97), t=1.422, df=41, p=0.16. However, patients in the intervention group had significantly higher days to first drink compared to those in the control group: 119.9 (47.7) vs. 62.4 (44.9), t=2.99, df=22, p=0.01.

Limitations: Limitations of the study include the small sample size and the potential for loss of rater blinding.

Conclusion: The effects of supportive text message intervention were not sustained beyond the period that the patients were receiving the intervention.

Keywords: Alcohol Use Disorder; Depression; Randomised trial; Six months follow-up; Text messages.

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