scholarly journals A Web-Based Program for Cannabis Use and Psychotic Experiences in Young People (Keep It Real): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/15803 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e15803
Author(s):  
Leanne Hides ◽  
Amanda Baker ◽  
Melissa Norberg ◽  
Jan Copeland ◽  
Catherine Quinn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Young People ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Past

Background Young Australians (16-25 years) have the highest rates of past-month cannabis use in the world. Cannabis use increases the risk of alcohol and other drug disorders and depressive disorders, and has a robust dose-response association with psychotic experiences (PEs) and disorders. PEs are subthreshold positive psychotic symptoms, including delusions and hallucinations, which increase the risk of substance use, depressive or anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders. Access to effective web-based early interventions targeting both cannabis use and PEs could reduce such risk in young people. Objective The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the Keep it Real web-based program compared to an information-only control website among young cannabis users (16-25 years) with PEs. Methods Participants are recruited online, and consenting individuals meeting inclusion criteria (aged 16-25 years, who have used cannabis in the past month and experienced PEs in the past 3 months) are automatically randomized to either the Keep it Real web-based program (n=249) or an information-only control website (n=249). Both websites are self-guided (fully automated). The baseline and follow-up assessments at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months are self-completed online. Primary outcome measures are weekly cannabis use, PEs, and the relative cost-effectiveness for quality-adjusted life years. Secondary outcomes include other substance use and related problems, PE-related distress, cannabis intoxication experiences, severity of cannabis dependence, depression/anxiety symptoms, suicidality, and mental well-being and functioning. Results Recruitment commenced in February 2019, and the results are expected to be submitted for publication in mid-2021. Conclusions This study protocol describes a large randomized controlled trial of a new web-based program for young cannabis users experiencing PEs. If effective, the accessibility and scalability of Keep it Real could help reduce growing public health concerns about the significant social, economic, and health impacts of cannabis use. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001107213; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374800 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/15803

scholarly journals A Web-Based Program for Cannabis Use and Psychotic Experiences in Young People (Keep It Real): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanne Hides ◽  
Amanda Baker ◽  
Melissa Norberg ◽  
Jan Copeland ◽  
Catherine Quinn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Young People ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Past

BACKGROUND Young Australians (16-25 years) have the highest rates of past-month cannabis use in the world. Cannabis use increases the risk of alcohol and other drug disorders and depressive disorders, and has a robust dose-response association with psychotic experiences (PEs) and disorders. PEs are subthreshold positive psychotic symptoms, including delusions and hallucinations, which increase the risk of substance use, depressive or anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders. Access to effective web-based early interventions targeting both cannabis use and PEs could reduce such risk in young people. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the <i>Keep it Real</i> web-based program compared to an information-only control website among young cannabis users (16-25 years) with PEs. METHODS Participants are recruited online, and consenting individuals meeting inclusion criteria (aged 16-25 years, who have used cannabis in the past month and experienced PEs in the past 3 months) are automatically randomized to either the <i>Keep it Real</i> web-based program (n=249) or an information-only control website (n=249). Both websites are self-guided (fully automated). The baseline and follow-up assessments at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months are self-completed online. Primary outcome measures are weekly cannabis use, PEs, and the relative cost-effectiveness for quality-adjusted life years. Secondary outcomes include other substance use and related problems, PE-related distress, cannabis intoxication experiences, severity of cannabis dependence, depression/anxiety symptoms, suicidality, and mental well-being and functioning. RESULTS Recruitment commenced in February 2019, and the results are expected to be submitted for publication in mid-2021. CONCLUSIONS This study protocol describes a large randomized controlled trial of a new web-based program for young cannabis users experiencing PEs. If effective, the accessibility and scalability of <i>Keep it Real</i> could help reduce growing public health concerns about the significant social, economic, and health impacts of cannabis use. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001107213; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374800 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/15803

scholarly journals ICan, an Internet-based intervention to reduce cannabis use: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marleen I. A. Olthof ◽  
Matthijs Blankers ◽  
Margriet W. van Laar ◽  
Anna E. Goudriaan
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Brief Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Substance Use Treatment ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Internet Based Intervention

Abstract Background Heavy cannabis use is associated with adverse physical and mental health effects. Despite available effective treatments, the majority of heavy cannabis users does not seek professional help. Web-based interventions can provide an alternative for cannabis users who are reluctant to seek professional help. Several web-based cannabis interventions are effective in reducing cannabis use; however, the effect sizes are typically small and attrition rates are typically high. This suggests that web-based programs can be an effective cannabis use intervention for some, while others may need additional substance use treatment after completing a web-based intervention. Therefore, it is important that web-based interventions do not solely focus on reducing cannabis use, but also on improving attitudes towards substance use treatment. The Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) approach appears to be well suited for the purpose of reducing cannabis use and improving substance use treatment utilization. Based on the SBIRT approach—and based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI)—we developed the Internet-based cannabis reduction intervention ICan. Methods/design This protocol paper presents the design of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which we evaluate the effectiveness of the ICan intervention compared to four online modules of educational information on cannabis in a sample of Dutch frequent cannabis users. The primary outcome measure is frequency of cannabis use. Secondary outcome measures include the quantity of cannabis used (grams), the attitudes towards seeking help and the number of participants who enter specialized treatment services for cannabis use-related problems. Discussion To the best of our knowledge, ICan is the first Internet-based intervention for cannabis users that combines screening, a brief intervention—based on CBT and MI—and referral to treatment options. Trial registration The study is registered in the Netherlands Trial Register; identifier NL7668. Registered on 17 April 2019.

scholarly journals Guided web-based treatment program for reducing cannabis use: a randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Sinadinovic ◽  
Magnus Johansson ◽  
Ann-Sofie Johansson ◽  
Thomas Lundqvist ◽  
Philip Lindner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Treatment Program ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Intervention Adherence ◽  
Group Effects

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a web-based treatment program with therapist guidance for adults and adolescents with regular cannabis use from the general population. Methods A double blinded randomized controlled trial with a parallel group design was conducted (intervention group n = 151, wait-list control group n = 152). Follow-up 12 weeks from treatment commencement of a 13-module intervention. The primary outcome was frequency of cannabis use. Time by group interaction effects were modeled using generalized estimated equations and the instrumental variable approach was used to estimate the effect of intervention adherence. Results At follow-up, the intention to treat (ITT) analyses did not show any significant time by group effects. A significant association between intervention adherence and scores on the cannabis abuse screening test (CAST) was found. Secondary analysis excluding participants who had received other professional help revealed time by group effects for secondary outcomes gram cannabis consumed past week, number of dependency criteria and CAST score. Due to methodological limitations, these latter results should be interpreted with caution. Conclusions In this study we did not find a web-based treatment program with therapist guidance to be more effective than a waiting-list in reducing frequency of cannabis use. Trial registration The trial was pre-registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02408640) April 3, 2015

Motivational Intervention to Reduce Cannabis Use in Young People with Psychosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2011 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 287-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Bonsack ◽  
Silvia Gibellini Manetti ◽  
Jérôme Favrod ◽  
Yves Montagrin ◽  
Jacques Besson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Young People ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Motivational Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Mental Health Service Navigation Website (Link) for Young Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Sanci ◽  
Sylvia Kauer ◽  
Sharmala Thuraisingam ◽  
Sandra Davidson ◽  
Ann-Maree Duncan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Web

BACKGROUND Mental health and substance use disorders are the main causes of disability among adolescents and young adults yet fewer than half experiencing these problems seek professional help. Young people frequently search the Web for health information and services, suggesting that Web-based modalities might promote help-seeking among young people who need it. To support young people in their help-seeking, we developed a Web-based mental health service navigation website called <italic>Link. Link</italic> is based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and connects young people with treatment based on the type and severity of mental health symptoms that they report. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to investigate the effect of Link on young people’s positive affect (PA) compared with usual help-seeking strategies immediately post intervention. Secondary objectives included testing the effect of Link on negative affect (NA), psychological distress, barriers to help-seeking, and help-seeking intentions. METHODS Young people, aged between 18 and 25 years, were recruited on the Web from an open access website to participate in a randomized controlled trial. Participants were stratified by gender and psychological distress into either the intervention arm (Link) or the control arm (usual help-seeking strategies). Baseline, immediate postintervention, 1-month, and 3-month surveys were self-reported and administered on the Web. Measures included the PA and NA scales, Kessler psychological distress scale (K10), barriers to adolescent help-seeking scale (BASH), and the general help-seeking questionnaire (GHSQ). RESULTS In total 413 young people were recruited to the trial (intervention, n=205; control, n=208) and 78% (160/205) of those randomized to the intervention arm visited the <italic>Link</italic> website. There was no evidence to support a difference between the intervention and control arms on the primary outcome, with PA increasing equally by approximately 30% between baseline and 3 months in both arms. NA decreased for the intervention arm compared with the control arm with a difference of 1.4 (95% CI 0.2-2.5) points immediately after the intervention and 2.6 (95% CI 1.1-4.1) at 1 month. K10 scores were unchanged and remained high in both arms. No changes were found on the BASH or GHSQ; however, participants in the intervention arm appeared more satisfied with their help-seeking process and outcomes at 1 and 3 months postintervention. CONCLUSIONS The process of prompting young people to seek mental health information and services appears to improve their affective state and increase help-seeking intentions, regardless of whether they use a Web-based dedicated youth-focused tool, such as <italic>Link</italic>, or their usual search strategies. However, young people report greater satisfaction using tools designed specifically for them, which may encourage future help-seeking. The ability of Web-based tools to match mental health needs with appropriate care should be explored further. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number (ANZCTRN): 12614001223628; http://www.anzctr.org.au/TrialSearch.aspx?searchTxt=12614001223628&isBasic=True

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