Effect of a 1‐year short message service in detoxified alcohol‐dependent patients: a multi‐center, open‐label randomized controlled trial

• DOI: 10.1111/add.15313
• Publication Date: 2020-11-06T12:49:52Z
• Authors: Michael Lucht; Anne Quellmalz; Meinhard Mende; Anja Broda; Anett Schmiedeknecht; Oana Brosteanu; Jacqueline Höppne...; Jens Langosch; Markus Stuppe; Georg Schomerus; Thomas Klauer; Hans J. Grabe; Harald J. Freyberger; Ulrich John; Christian Meyer
• Keywords: Binge drinking; Short Message Service; Brief intervention; Alcohol Dependence

Abstract Background and Aims Existing evidence suggests that text message interventions can help people to reduce their alcohol consumption. However, studies with alcohol‐dependent patients are lacking. In this study a 1‐year automatic mobile phone‐based short messaging service (SMS) intervention on consumption in after detoxification hospital was compared treatment as usual. Design Multi‐center, randomized, controlled, two parallel‐group, observer‐blinded trial. Setting Participants Primary secondary care: four hospitals community (1 million residents, 7600 km 2 area Germany). A total of 462 dependence (ICD‐10) were included during inpatient treatment. Patients randomly assigned : 1) an SMS usual (SMS + TAU; n = 230; mean age: 45.4 years; 22.6% women) or TAU alone ( 232 44.5 22.8% women). Planned, automated messages sent over 1 year record assistance needs. ‘yes’ missing response triggered telephone call from therapist. Outcome assessed by independent survey center. Measurements The primary end‐point three‐category measure covering months 10–12 discharge: abstinence, non‐heavy drinking, heavy drinking [men > 60 g/day; women 40 g/day equal World Health Organization (WHO) criteria: high risk very risk, consumption]. Secondary end‐points number abstinent days 12 frequency abstinence. Results arms differed primarily the category (intervention group 22.2%, TAU‐only 32.3%) 9–12. This is reflected odds ratio (OR) 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–2.54, P 0.015 for versus drinking/abstinence. No difference between treatments found respect any abstinence (OR 1.13). These results confirmed models adjusting randomization strata. Conclusions Germany, 12‐month phone service‐based enhanced reduction routine care among adults discharged detoxification.