Efficacy and outcomes of a mobile app targeting alcohol use in young people.

Efficacy and outcomes of a mobile app targeting alcohol use in young people.
Addict Behav. 2017 Sep 29;77:89-95
Authors: Hides L, Quinn C, Cockshaw W, Stoyanov S, Zelenko O, Johnson D, Tjondronegoro D, Quek LH, Kavanagh DJ
Abstract
Mobile apps provide a highly accessible way of reducing alcohol use in young people. This paper determines the 1-month efficacy and 2, 3 and 6month outcomes of the Ray's Night Out app, which aims to increase alcohol knowledge and reduce alcohol use in young people. User-experience design and agile development processes, informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills model and evidence-based motivational interviewing treatment approaches guided app development. A randomized controlled trial comparing immediate versus 1-month delayed access to the app was conducted in 197 young people (16 to 25years) who drank alcohol in the previous month. Participants were assessed at baseline, 1, 2, 3 and 6months. Alcohol knowledge, alcohol use and related harms and the severity of problematic drinking were assessed. App quality was evaluated after 1-month of app use. Participants in the immediate access group achieved a significantly greater increase in alcohol knowledge than the delayed access group at 1-month, but no differences in alcohol use or related problems were found. Both groups achieved significant reductions in the typical number of drinks on a drinking occasion over time. A reduction in maximum dri...

Source: Addictive Behaviors - September 29, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Hides L, Quinn C, Cockshaw W, Stoyanov S, Zelenko O, Johnson D, Tjondronegoro D, Quek LH, Kavanagh DJ Tags: Addict Behav Source Type: research