The DYD-RCT protocol: an on-line randomised controlled trial of an interactive computer-based intervention compared with a standard information website to reduce alcohol consumption among hazardous drinkers

Abstract

Background: Excessive alcohol consumption is a significant public health problem throughout the world. Although there are a range of effective interventions to help heavy drinkers reduce their alcohol consumption, these have little proven population-level impact. Researchers internationally are looking at the potential of Internet interventions in this area.

Strategies to improve retention in randomised trials

“…Arm b: valproate vs. lamotrigine (LTG) vs. vs topiramate (TPM) Marson 2007 (2)UK hospital outpatient departmentsMarson 2007†Back painAdults with low back pain aged 18-65 years in a trial comparing exercise manipulation vs. exercise plus manipulation UK BEAM 2004UK primary careLetley 2000‡Back painAdults aged 18-65 years in a trial comparing yoga vs. usual care Tilbrook 2011UK primary careMan 2011ScreeningProstate, lung, ovarian, colorectal cancerAdults aged 55-74 years in PLCO trial comparing PSA and CA125 at baseline, and annually for 5 years. Digital rectal examination, transvaginal ultrasound and chest x-ray at baseline and 5 years vs. usual follow-up Prorok 2000USA trial sitesSubar 2001, Ford 2006 (African American men aged ≥ 55 years only from PLCO)CervicalWomen with low-grade abnormal cervical smear aged 20-59 years in the TOMBOLA trial: Colposcopy vs. 6-monthly smears TOMBOLA 2009a TOMBOLA 2009bUKSharp 2006a-hPostnatal depressionWomen childbearing aged = 18 years < 2 weeks' postpartum at high risk of postnatal depression in a trial comparing proactive individualised telephone-based peer support vs. standard postpartum care Dennis 2009Canada communityKenton 2007a-dPreventionFractureAdults with history of osteoporot...…”

Quality of life among hazardous and harmful drinkers: EQ-5D over a 1-year follow-up period

“…The Down Your Drink (DYD) trial was conducted entirely online, including recruitment, randomisation and delivery of the interventions (psychologically enhanced website vs. website with information only) [27]. Participants in the trial were therefore Internet browsers, who found the DYD website via Google, whilst searching for information or help in reducing their drinking between February 2007 and May 2009 [27,28]. People were invited to take part in the trial if they scored five or more on the shortened version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the AUDIT-C, indicating hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption [28].…”

“…Participants in the trial were therefore Internet browsers, who found the DYD website via Google, whilst searching for information or help in reducing their drinking between February 2007 and May 2009 [27,28]. People were invited to take part in the trial if they scored five or more on the shortened version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the AUDIT-C, indicating hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption [28]. The AUDIT-C comprises the first three questions of full AUDIT [29] and is a well-established brief screening tool [30].…”

Assessing the effectiveness of an Internet-based videoconferencing platform for delivering intensified substance abuse counseling

“…Most of the studies describing efforts to treat substance use disorders using the Internet target tobacco and alcohol rather than illicit drugs such as cocaine or opiates (Cobb et al, 2005;Copeland & Martin, 2004;Griffiths, 2005;Murray et al, 2007). Although several Web sites offer substance abuse treatment to persons with less severe forms of a range of substance use disorders, there is clearly a major gap in the literature describing the benefits of Internet therapy for drugs of abuse besides nicotine and alcohol (Griffiths, 2005).…”