JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Methamphetamine use is of deep concern to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but access to culturally appropriate treatment resources and services is limited. Web-based programs have potential as flexible and cost-effective additions to the range of treatment options available to Aboriginal people. The We Can Do This web-based therapeutic program (WBTP) is designed to incorporate evidence-based therapies in a culturally-relevant format using narratives from Aboriginal people to contextualise the therapeutic content.

Objective:

The effectiveness of the WBTP will be tested in a wait-list control, randomised trial across multiple sites in urban, regional and remote locations.

Methods:

Recruitment will commence in May 2019, and results are expected in early 2021.

Results:

Participants will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 or over who have used methamphetamine at least weekly for the previous three months. They will be recruited online and via health services. During the intervention phase, participants will have access to the WBTP for six weeks with optional telephone or face-to-face support provided by participating health services. The primary outcome measure will be the number of days the participant used methamphetamine over the past four weeks compared to wait-list controls, assessed at baseline, one, two and three months. Secondary outcomes will include help-seeking, readiness to change, severity of dependence and psychological distress.

Conclusions:

The trial of this WBTP builds on existing research supporting the effectiveness of web-based therapies for a range of psychological and other health-related issues including substance use. If successful, the ‘We Can Do this’ WBTP will increase the range of options available to Aboriginal people seeking to reduce or stop methamphetamine use. It may provide a pathway into treatment for people who may otherwise be disengaged with health services for a range of reasons, and will be a culturally-appropriate, evidence-based resource for health practitioners to offer their clients. Clinical Trial: The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12619000134123p.