title: Electronic Interventions for Alcohol Misuse and Alcohol Use Disorders: A Systematic Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of electronic interventions (e-interventions) may improve treatment of alcohol misuse.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize treatment intensity and systematically review the evidence for efficacy of e-interventions, relative to controls, for reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related impairment in adults and college students.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE (via PubMed) from January 2000 to March 2015 and the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PsycINFO from January 2000 to August 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  English-language, randomized, controlled trials that involved at least 50 adults who misused alcohol; compared an e-intervention group with a control group; and reported outcomes at 6 months or longer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two reviewers abstracted data and independently rated trial quality and strength of evidence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 28 unique trials, the modal e-intervention was brief feedback on alcohol consumption. Available data suggested a small reduction in consumption (approximately 1 drink per week) in adults and college students at 6 months but not at 12 months. There was no statistically significant effect on meeting drinking limit guidelines in adults or on binge-drinking episodes or social consequences of alcohol in college students.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  E-interventions that ranged in intensity were combined in analyses. Quantitative results do not apply to short-term outcomes or alcohol use disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence suggests that low-intensity e-inter ventions produce small reductions in alcohol consumption at 6 months, but there is little evidence for longer-term, clinically significant effects, such as meeting drinking limits. Future e-interventions could provide more intensive treatment and possibly human support to assist persons in meeting recommended drinking limits.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Dedert
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: McDuffie
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: J Murray
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McNiel
authors.forename: Andrzej S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kosinski
authors.forename: Caroline E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Freiermuth
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hemminger
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D013334:Students; D055815:Young Adult