Abstract
BackgroundA primary concern within the healthcare system is to make treatment more accessible as well as attractive for the great majority of alcohol-dependent people who feel reluctant to participate in the treatment programs available. This paper presents the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of two different technical devices (mobile phone application and breathalyzer) on alcohol consumption.MethodsThe study is a three-armed RCT with follow-ups 3 and 6 months after randomization. In total, 375 adults (age 18+ years) diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD) will be invited to participate in a 3-month intervention. The primary outcome is the number of days with heavy drinking, defined as four or more standard drinks (12 g alcohol/drink) and measured by the timeline follow back (TLFB) and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) instruments at 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcome measures include weekly alcohol consumption, measured by the TLFB, AUDIT, and phosphatidylethanol in blood values at 3-month and 6-month follow-up (number of days with blood alcohol concentration levels exceeding 60 mg/100 ml).DiscussionImproving ways of collecting data on alcohol consumption, as well as the treatment system with regards to AUD, is of vital importance. Mobile phone technology, with associated applications, is widely recognized as a potentially powerful tool in the prevention and management of disease. This study will provide unique knowledge regarding the use of new technology as instruments for measuring alcohol consumption and, also, as a possible way to decrease it.Trial registrationISRCTN, ISRCTN14515753. Registered on 31 May 2018.
Highlights
A primary concern within the healthcare system is to make treatment more accessible as well as attractive for the great majority of alcohol-dependent people who feel reluctant to participate in the treatment programs available
Real-time and ecological assessments, as well as high allowance for collecting sensitive information are some of the advantages of smartphone applications
The main criticism regarding previous research in this area concerns sample size, high risk of bias, and lack of studies considering long-term follow-up [12, 18]. In this project we aim to examine two mobile phone applications, “Glasklart” and the combination of a portable breathalyzer with a mobile phone application “iBAC”, in the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD)
Summary
A primary concern within the healthcare system is to make treatment more accessible as well as attractive for the great majority of alcohol-dependent people who feel reluctant to participate in the treatment programs available. 70 diseases have been estimated to be wholly or partly caused by alcohol [2]; for example, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, infectious diseases, neurological diseases, and mental disorders—including alcohol use disorder (AUD). Most people with alcohol use disorder do not seek treatment [3, 4]. Different studies estimate that fewer than 20% have ever been in treatment [5, 6]. A primary concern within the healthcare system is to make treatment more accessible as well as attractive for the great majority of alcohol-dependent people Available treatment in specialized addiction clinics is perceived as unattractive and stigmatizing, and it appears that it is only when problems become very severe that the barriers to treatment are overcome [7].
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