TY - JOUR

T1 - Internet and computer based interventions for cannabis use

T2 - A meta-analysis

AU - Tait, Robert James

AU - Spijkerman, Renske

AU - Riper, Heleen

PY - 2013/12/1

Y1 - 2013/12/1

N2 - Background: Worldwide, cannabis is the most prevalently used illegal drug and creates demand for prevention and treatment services that cannot be fulfilled using conventional approaches. Computer and Internet-based interventions may have the potential to meet this need. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the literature and conducted a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of this approach in reducing the frequency of cannabis use. Methods: We systematically searched online databases (Medline, PubMed, PsychINFO, Embase) for eligible studies and conducted a meta-analysis. Studies had to use a randomized design, be delivered either via the Internet or computer and report separate outcomes for cannabis use. The principal outcome measure was the frequency of cannabis use. Results: Data were extracted from 10 studies and the meta-analysis involved 10 comparisons with 4125 participants. The overall effect size was small but significant, g= 0.16 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09-0.22, P<. 0.001) at post-treatment. Subgroup analyses did not reveal significant subgroup differences for key factors including type of analysis (intention-to-treat, completers only), type of control (active, waitlist), age group (11-16, 17+ years), gender composition (female only, mixed), type of intervention (prevention, 'treatment'), guided versus unguided programs, mode of delivery (Internet, computer), individual versus family dyad and venue (home, research setting). Also, no significant moderation effects were found for number of sessions and time to follow-up. Finally, there was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusions: Internet and computer interventions appear to be effective in reducing cannabis use in the short-term albeit based on data from few studies and across diverse samples.

AB - Background: Worldwide, cannabis is the most prevalently used illegal drug and creates demand for prevention and treatment services that cannot be fulfilled using conventional approaches. Computer and Internet-based interventions may have the potential to meet this need. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the literature and conducted a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of this approach in reducing the frequency of cannabis use. Methods: We systematically searched online databases (Medline, PubMed, PsychINFO, Embase) for eligible studies and conducted a meta-analysis. Studies had to use a randomized design, be delivered either via the Internet or computer and report separate outcomes for cannabis use. The principal outcome measure was the frequency of cannabis use. Results: Data were extracted from 10 studies and the meta-analysis involved 10 comparisons with 4125 participants. The overall effect size was small but significant, g= 0.16 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09-0.22, P<. 0.001) at post-treatment. Subgroup analyses did not reveal significant subgroup differences for key factors including type of analysis (intention-to-treat, completers only), type of control (active, waitlist), age group (11-16, 17+ years), gender composition (female only, mixed), type of intervention (prevention, 'treatment'), guided versus unguided programs, mode of delivery (Internet, computer), individual versus family dyad and venue (home, research setting). Also, no significant moderation effects were found for number of sessions and time to follow-up. Finally, there was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusions: Internet and computer interventions appear to be effective in reducing cannabis use in the short-term albeit based on data from few studies and across diverse samples.

KW - Cultural Informatics

KW - Cannabis

KW - Computer

KW - intervention

KW - Cannabis

KW - Computer

KW - Internet

KW - Intervention

KW - Meta-analysis

KW - Prevention

KW - Substance use

KW - Systematic review

KW - Cannabis

KW - Computer

KW - Internet

KW - Intervention

KW - Meta-analysis

KW - Prevention

KW - Substance use

KW - Systematic review

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84887016462&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.012

DO - 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.012

M3 - Scientific review articles

C2 - 23747236

VL - 133

SP - 295

EP - 304

JO - Drug and Alcohol Dependence

JF - Drug and Alcohol Dependence

SN - 0376-8716

IS - 2

ER -