BACKGROUND
Young people (18–25) consume the most alcohol compared to other age groups, with teenagers (12–18) coming in second. The use of technology to limit alcohol intake is becoming increasingly popular due to the demand for novel, more effective intervention tactics.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine if smartphone intervention leads to lower alcohol use among drinking adolescents and college students.
METHODS
7 electronic databases (Pubmed, Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scoups, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register) were searched up to March 19, 2024. Included were randomized controlled trials with a control group that looked at how smartphone interventions affected college students' and adolescents' alcohol intake. The study's quality was evaluated, and independent data extraction was carried out.Bias risks were assessed using the Cochrane collaboration tool.A meta-analysis was carried out by using fixed effects models to calculate the standardized mean difference of the quantity (standard glasses/week) in the group receiving smartphone intervention and the control group.A meta-analysis was carried out by using random effects models to calculate the weighted mean difference of the Peak eBAC、 the frequency (drinking occasions/week) and the Binge occasions in the group receiving smartphone intervention and the control group. To investigate the possible moderating effects of several parameters (e.g., types of interventions, duration of interventions, age, and measurement methods) , subgroup analyses were carried out.
RESULTS
This review covered ten studies: seven mobile app interventions and three SMS text messaging interventions. In summary, the risk of bias in the included studies was tiny. Relative to the control group, the utilization of martphone intervention drastically decreased the quantity (standard glasses/week) (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.07, 95% CI:-0.12 to 0.02, P=.004) , but not for the frequency (drinking occasions/week)(weighted mean difference [WMD] -0.18, 95% CI:-0.40 to 0.04, P=.101) , the Binge occasions ([WMD] -0.17, 95% CI:-0.41 to 0.07, P=.170), and the peak estimated blood alcohol concentration( Peak eBAC) ([SMD] -0.09, 95% CI:-0.25 to -0.08, P=.224). The results of subgroup analyses indicated that app intervention ([SMD] -0.06, 95% CI -0.12 to -0.01, P=.030) ,≤ 18 years old ([SMD] -0.13, 95% CI:-0.24 to -0.03, P=.010) , "≥ 12 weeks" ([SMD] -0.10, 95% CI:-0.17 to -0.03, P=.003) and Daily Drinking Questionnaire (DDQ) can significantly reduce the quantity (standard glasses/week).
CONCLUSIONS
Meta-analysis results suggest that smartphone-based intervention could be a promising technique for reducing the quantity (standard glasses /week) of harmful drinking among teenagers and college students.
CLINICALTRIAL
PROSPERO registration number （CRD42024526646)