Proactive E-Alcohol Therapy and Mental Health
Author Information
Author(s): Kia Kejlskov Egan, Veronica Pisinger, Ulrik Becker, Janne Schurmann Tolstrup
Primary Institution: National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark
Hypothesis
Does anxiety or/and depressive symptoms modify the effect of proactive e-alcohol therapy on treatment initiation, compliance, and alcohol intake?
Conclusion
Proactive e-alcohol therapy is equally effective for individuals with problematic alcohol use, regardless of co-occurring anxiety or/and depressive symptoms.
Supporting Evidence
- Proactive e-alcohol therapy and standard care similarly reduced affective symptoms.
- 356 individuals participated in the study.
- Participants were recruited online and randomly assigned to either intervention.
Takeaway
This study shows that online therapy for alcohol problems works just as well for people who feel anxious or sad as it does for those who don't.
Methodology
Participants with problematic alcohol use were randomly assigned to either proactive e-alcohol therapy or standard care, and their treatment initiation, compliance, and alcohol intake were measured at 3 and 12 months.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding due to baseline imbalances in symptom severity between groups.
Limitations
The study was not adequately powered to detect interactions between the intervention group and anxiety/depressive symptoms, and relied on self-reports.
Participant Demographics
The median age was 46, with 48% female and 73% having 13 or more years of education.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.3 to 1.4
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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