Severin Haug1, Michael J Lucht2, Ulrich John3, Christian Meyer3, Michael P Schaub4. 1. Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction at Zurich University, Zurich, Switzerland severin.haug@isgf.uzh.ch. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald at HELIOS Hanseklinikum Stralsund, Stralsund, Germany. 3. Department of Social Medicine and Prevention, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. 4. Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction at Zurich University, Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract
AIMS: To test the feasibility, acceptability and initial effectiveness of a text message-based aftercare treatment programme among alcohol outpatients. METHODS:Clients treated for alcohol use disorders from three Swiss outpatient alcohol treatment centres were invited by their counsellors to participate in a study testing aninteractive aftercare programme employing the use of text messages and personal phone calls. Fifty study participants were randomly assigned to either the 6-month aftercare programme (n = 25) or treatment as usual (n = 25). The intervention consisted of (a) monitoring of self-selected drinking goals at regular intervals, (b) motivational text messages to stick to self-selected drinking goals and (c) proactive telephone calls from counsellors when participants neglected to stick to their drinking goals or expressed a need for support. Follow-up interviews were conducted 6 months after randomization. RESULTS: Throughout the programme, participants received a total of 421 text message prompts. Out of these, participants provided valid replies to 371 (88.1%) within 48 h. Out of the 25 participants in the intervention group, 11 (44.0%) sent at least one call-for-help reply. Based on complete case data, at risk alcohol use at follow-up was 41.7% in the control group and 28.6% in the intervention group (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.16-1.95, P = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: The interactive low-intensive aftercare programme was well accepted by the participants. Testing its efficacy within an adequately powered randomized controlled trial might be reasonable.
RCT Entities:
AIMS: To test the feasibility, acceptability and initial effectiveness of a text message-based aftercare treatment programme among alcohol outpatients. METHODS: Clients treated for alcohol use disorders from three Swiss outpatientalcohol treatment centres were invited by their counsellors to participate in a study testing an interactive aftercare programme employing the use of text messages and personal phone calls. Fifty study participants were randomly assigned to either the 6-month aftercare programme (n = 25) or treatment as usual (n = 25). The intervention consisted of (a) monitoring of self-selected drinking goals at regular intervals, (b) motivational text messages to stick to self-selected drinking goals and (c) proactive telephone calls from counsellors when participants neglected to stick to their drinking goals or expressed a need for support. Follow-up interviews were conducted 6 months after randomization. RESULTS: Throughout the programme, participants received a total of 421 text message prompts. Out of these, participants provided valid replies to 371 (88.1%) within 48 h. Out of the 25 participants in the intervention group, 11 (44.0%) sent at least one call-for-help reply. Based on complete case data, at risk alcohol use at follow-up was 41.7% in the control group and 28.6% in the intervention group (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.16-1.95, P = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: The interactive low-intensive aftercare programme was well accepted by the participants. Testing its efficacy within an adequately powered randomized controlled trial might be reasonable.