| Methods |
RCT to compare three conditions. Assessments on four occasions: baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. |
| Participants |
159 patients (aged 15 or older) with high alcohol consumption (one or more CAGE items or 4 or more standard drinks each day in 28 days) recruited by nurse in family practice centre. Therapists: 1 research GP (and 1 nurse practitioner). |
| Interventions |
T1 (n:40) = cognitive behavioural intervention (CBI) by research GP (basic information, help understanding function alcohol, plan of action, moderation strategies, use of daily drinking records and self‐help manual), 2 30‐min sessions over 2 weeks.
T2 (n:66) = CBI by research nurse practitioner, 2 30‐min sessions over 2 weeks.
C (n:53) = brief advice by own GP (1 of 12) on drinking, 1 5‐min session.
Training or supervision of therapists unclear. |
| Outcomes |
12 month follow‐up: no sign. differences between groups (overall reduction in drinking and alcohol‐related problems in all groups). |
| Notes |
non‐compliance: T1&T2=27/106.
withdrawal: T1&T2&C=16/159.
no integrity check. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
