Accepted for/Published in: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Date Submitted: Nov 6, 2019
Date Accepted: Mar 24, 2020
Efficacy of a mobile phone-delivered just-in-time planning intervention to reduce alcohol use in adolescents: results of a randomized controlled crossover trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Interventions to reduce alcohol use typically include several elements such as information on the risks of alcohol consumption, motivation for sensible drinking, or protective behavioral strategies. However, the effectiveness of these single intervention elements within comprehensive programs has not been addressed so far, but could give valuable insights for the development of future interventions. Just-in-time interventions provided via mobile devices are intended to help people to make healthy decisions “in the moment”, and thus have a near-future impact.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to test the proximal effect of a mobile phone-delivered, just-in-time adaptive planning intervention to reduce alcohol use in binge drinking adolescents within a comprehensive intervention program to reduce problem drinking in adolescents.
Methods:
AB/BA crossover design in which participants were randomly allocated to (1) a group receiving the planning intervention (A) in period 1 and assessment only (B) in period 2 or (2) a group receiving assessment only (B) in period 1 and the planning intervention (A) in period 2. The planning intervention included a text message to choose one of two predetermined if-then plans to practice sensible drinking with friends or when going out and a prompt to visualize the chosen plan. There was a washout period of at least 2 weeks between period 1 and period 2.
Results:
Out of 633 binge drinking program participants, 136 (21.5%) were receptive in both periods of time and provided data on the proximal outcome, which was the number of alcoholic drinks consumed with friends or when going out. After the planning intervention, the number of alcoholic drinks consumed was approximately one standard drink lower compared to no intervention (p=.01).
Conclusions:
A mobile phone-delivered just-in-time if-then planning intervention to practice sensible drinking with friends or when going out is effective to reduce alcohol consumption in binge drinking adolescents. Based on the relatively low percentage of participants with self-reported receptivity for the planning intervention, measures to increase the population impact of similar planning interventions should be implemented and tested in future trials. Clinical Trial: ISRCTN (52150713, assigned 2 June 2017)
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