Texting to Reduce Alcohol Misuse (TRAM): main findings from a randomised controlled trial of a text message intervention to reduce binge drinking among disadvantaged men

Crombie, I. K. et al. (2018) Texting to Reduce Alcohol Misuse (TRAM): main findings from a randomised controlled trial of a text message intervention to reduce binge drinking among disadvantaged men. Addiction, 113(9), pp. 1609-1618. (doi: 10.1111/add.14229) (PMID:29855105)

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Abstract

Aims: To test the effectiveness of a theoretically based text‐message intervention to reduce binge drinking among socially disadvantaged men. Design: A multi‐centre parallel group, pragmatic, individually randomized controlled trial. Setting: Community‐based study conducted in four regions of Scotland. Participants: A total of 825 men aged 25–44 years recruited from socially disadvantaged areas who had two or more episodes of binge drinking (> 8 UK units on a single occasion) in the preceding 28 days: 411 men were randomized to the intervention and 414 to the control. Intervention and comparator: A series of 112 interactive text messages was delivered by mobile phone during a 12‐week period. The intervention was structured around the Health Action Process Approach, a comprehensive model which allows integration of a range of evidence‐based behaviour change techniques. The control group received 89 texts on general health, with no mention of alcohol or use of behaviour change techniques. Measurements: The primary outcome measure was the proportion of men consuming > 8 units on three or more occasions (in the previous 28 days) at 12 months post‐intervention. Findings: The proportion of men consuming > 8 units on three or more occasions (in the previous 28 days) was 41.5% in the intervention group and 47.8% in the control group. Formal analysis showed that there was no evidence that the intervention was effective [odds ratio (OR) = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.57–1.08; absolute reduction 5.7%, 95% CI = −13.3 to 1.9]. The Bayes factor for this outcome was 1.3, confirming that the results were inconclusive. The retention was high and similar in intervention (84.9%) and control (86.5%) groups. Most men in the intervention group engaged with the text messages: almost all (92%) replied to text messages and 67% replied more than 10 times. Conclusions: A theoretically based text‐messaging intervention aimed at reducing binge drinking in disadvantaged men was not found to reduce prevalence of binge drinking at 12‐month follow‐up.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This study was funded by the NIHR Public Health Research programme (11/3050/30).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Melson, Dr Ambrose and Emslie, Dr Carol and Norrie, Prof John
Authors: Crombie, I. K., Irvine, L., Williams, B., Sniehotta, F. F., Petrie, D., Jones, C., Norrie, J., Evan, J. M.M., Emslie, C., Rice, P. M., Slane, P. W., Humphris, G., Ricketts, I. W., Melson, A. J., Donnan, P. T., Hapca, S. M., McKenzie, A., and Achison, M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre
Journal Name:Addiction
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0965-2140
ISSN (Online):1360-0443
Published Online:01 June 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 The Authors
First Published:First published in Addiction 113(9): 1609-1618
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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