| Methods |
CCT to compare four conditions. Group allocation according to weekly blocks. Assessments on three occasions: baseline, 6 and 12 months. |
| Participants |
378 patients (aged 18‐70) with high weekly alcohol consumption (men > 35 drinks, women > 21) recruited from 119 GPs in 40 practices. Therapists: 119 GPs. |
| Interventions |
T1 (n:96) = behavioural change programme 'Alcoholscreen' (use of self‐help manual and diary, education, counselling, advice on changing drinking behaviour, supporting new drinking habits), 5 5‐25‐min sessions in 5 months.
T2 (n:96) = brief advice to reduce drinking, 1 5‐min session.
C1(n:93) = assessment of drinking behaviour and follow‐up only.
C2 (n:93) = follow‐up only.
All GPs received training, supervision unknown. |
| Outcomes |
12 month follow‐up (not available for C2):
No sign. differences between groups in % patients reporting drinking above predefined weekly level (men < 28 drinks, women < 14) or alcohol‐related problems (MAST). T1 superior to other treatments on alcohol consumption below level for patients who attended 2 sessions or more. |
| Notes |
non‐compliance:
T1=49/96 2nd visit, 92/96 5th visit.
withdrawal:
T1=30/96, T2=26/96,
C1=32/93 (C2 unavailable).
no integrity check. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
D ‐ Not used |
