title: Face-to-face versus computer-delivered alcohol interventions for college drinkers: a meta-analytic review, 1998 to 2010.
abstract: Alcohol misuse occurs commonly on college campuses, necessitating prevention programs to help college drinkers reduce consumption and minimize harmful consequences. Computer-delivered interventions (CDIs) have been widely used due to their low cost and ease of dissemination but whether CDIs are efficacious and whether they produce benefits equivalent to face-to-face interventions (FTFIs) remain unclear. Therefore, we identified controlled trials of both CDIs and FTFIs and used meta-analysis (a) to determine the relative efficacy of these two approaches and (b) to test predictors of intervention efficacy. We included studies examining FTFIs (N=5237; 56% female; 87% White) and CDIs (N=32,243; 51% female; 81% White). Independent raters coded participant characteristics, design and methodological features, intervention content, and calculated weighted mean effect sizes using fixed and random-effects models. Analyses indicated that, compared to controls, FTFI participants drank less, drank less frequently, and reported fewer problems at short-term follow-up (d(+)s=0.15-0.19); they continued to consume lower quantities at intermediate (d(+)=0.23) and long-term (d(+)=0.14) follow-ups. Compared to controls, CDI participants reported lower quantities, frequency, and peak intoxication at short-term follow-up (d(+)s=0.13-0.29), but these effects were not maintained. Direct comparisons between FTFI and CDIs were infrequent, but these trials favored the FTFIs on both quantity and problem measures (d(+)s=0.12-0.20). Moderator analyses identified participant and intervention characteristics that influence intervention efficacy. Overall, we conclude that FTFIs provide the most effective and enduring effects.
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. kate_carey@brown.edu
authors.forename: Kate B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: Lori A J
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Scott-Sheldon
authors.forename: Jennifer C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Lorra
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Garey
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Carey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000469:parasitology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062405:Motivational Interviewing; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult