Internet and computer based interventions for cannabis use: A meta-analysis
Background: Worldwide, cannabis is the most prevalently used illegal drug and creates demand for prevention and treatment services that cannot be fulfilled using conventional approaches. Computer and Internet-based interventions may have the potential to meet this need. Therefore, we systematically...
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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Elsevier Ireland Ltd
2013
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/36404 |
| _version_ | 1848754760733163520 |
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| author | Tait, Robert Spijkerman, R. Riper, H. |
| author_facet | Tait, Robert Spijkerman, R. Riper, H. |
| author_sort | Tait, Robert |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background: Worldwide, cannabis is the most prevalently used illegal drug and creates demand for prevention and treatment services that cannot be fulfilled using conventional approaches. Computer and Internet-based interventions may have the potential to meet this need. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the literature and conducted a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of this approach in reducing the frequency of cannabis use. Methods: We systematically searched online databases (Medline, PubMed, PsychINFO, Embase) for eligible studies and conducted a meta-analysis. Studies had to use a randomized design, be delivered either via the Internet or computer and report separate outcomes for cannabis use. The principal outcome measure was the frequency of cannabis use. Results: Data were extracted from 10 studies and the meta-analysis involved 10 comparisons with 4,125 participants. The overall effect size was small but significant, g = 0.16 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09-0.22 P < 0.001) at post-treatment. Subgroup analyses did not reveal significant subgroup differences for key factors including type of analysis (intention-to-treat, completers only), type of control (active, waitlist), age group (11-16, 17+ years), gender composition (female only, mixed), type of intervention (prevention, ‘treatment’), guided versus unguided programs, mode of delivery (Internet, computer), individual versus family dyad and venue (home, research setting). Also, no significant moderation effects were found for number of sessions and time to follow-up. Finally, there was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusions: Internet and computer interventions appear to be effective in reducing cannabis use in the short-term albeit based on data from few studies and across diverse samples. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:45:32Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-36404 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:45:32Z |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publisher | Elsevier Ireland Ltd |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-364042019-02-19T04:28:16Z Internet and computer based interventions for cannabis use: A meta-analysis Tait, Robert Spijkerman, R. Riper, H. computer cannabis substance use intervention Meta-analysis prevention Internet systematic review Background: Worldwide, cannabis is the most prevalently used illegal drug and creates demand for prevention and treatment services that cannot be fulfilled using conventional approaches. Computer and Internet-based interventions may have the potential to meet this need. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the literature and conducted a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of this approach in reducing the frequency of cannabis use. Methods: We systematically searched online databases (Medline, PubMed, PsychINFO, Embase) for eligible studies and conducted a meta-analysis. Studies had to use a randomized design, be delivered either via the Internet or computer and report separate outcomes for cannabis use. The principal outcome measure was the frequency of cannabis use. Results: Data were extracted from 10 studies and the meta-analysis involved 10 comparisons with 4,125 participants. The overall effect size was small but significant, g = 0.16 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09-0.22 P < 0.001) at post-treatment. Subgroup analyses did not reveal significant subgroup differences for key factors including type of analysis (intention-to-treat, completers only), type of control (active, waitlist), age group (11-16, 17+ years), gender composition (female only, mixed), type of intervention (prevention, ‘treatment’), guided versus unguided programs, mode of delivery (Internet, computer), individual versus family dyad and venue (home, research setting). Also, no significant moderation effects were found for number of sessions and time to follow-up. Finally, there was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusions: Internet and computer interventions appear to be effective in reducing cannabis use in the short-term albeit based on data from few studies and across diverse samples. 2013 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/36404 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd fulltext |
| spellingShingle | computer cannabis substance use intervention Meta-analysis prevention Internet systematic review Tait, Robert Spijkerman, R. Riper, H. Internet and computer based interventions for cannabis use: A meta-analysis |
| title | Internet and computer based interventions for cannabis use: A meta-analysis |
| title_full | Internet and computer based interventions for cannabis use: A meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Internet and computer based interventions for cannabis use: A meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Internet and computer based interventions for cannabis use: A meta-analysis |
| title_short | Internet and computer based interventions for cannabis use: A meta-analysis |
| title_sort | internet and computer based interventions for cannabis use: a meta-analysis |
| topic | computer cannabis substance use intervention Meta-analysis prevention Internet systematic review |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/36404 |