Table 3.
Characteristics of controlled trials (ranged by addictive disorder).
| AuthorsDate and countries | Duration of study | Baseline characteristics of participants | Method | Principal results(Reduction of consumption and/or abstinence) | Impact on craving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOBACCO | |||||
|
Baskerville et al. 2018 Canada (25) |
6 months |
N = 1,599 Characteristics of participants: daily smokers, 19–29 years, 73% low nicotine dependence (HSI score) |
RCT, superiority trial, 2 parallel groups, ITT analysis, Crush the crave (CTC) (n = 820) v/s placebo app (OnRQ) (n = 779), self-reported continuous abstinence |
Abstinence: 6-month follow-up: 7.8% for CTC v/s 9.2% for OnRQ; OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.59-1.18, p = 0.30 30-day point prevalence abstinence: 14.4% for CTC v/s 16.9% for OnRQ (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.63–1.08) Reduction of consumption: Smoking less than a pack per day: Baseline: 25.7% CTC v/s 25.7% OnRQ (p = 0.99) 6-month follow-up: 23.8% CTC v/s 24.4% OnRQ (p = 0.86) |
Not evaluated |
|
BinDhim et al. 2018 USA Australia Singapore United Kingdom (42) |
6 months |
N= 684 Characteristics of participants: daily smokers, ≥ 18 years. Fagerström < 4 (49.6%) = 5 (13.7%) > 6–10 (36.7%) |
RCT, parallel group, Quit Advisor Plus (intervention) v/s placebo app (informative), self-reported continuous abstinence |
Abstinence: 1-month follow-up: 28.5% for intervention app v/s 16.9% for informative app (RR 1.68; 95% CI 1.25–2.28). Effect sustained at 3 months (23.8 vs 10.2%; RR 2.08; 95% CI 1.38–3.18) and 6 months (10.2 vs. 4.8%; RR 2.02; 95% CI 1.08–3.81). Reduction of consumption: (not specified) |
Not evaluated |
|
Bricker et al. 2014 USA (43) |
2 months |
N= 196 Characteristics of participants: ≥ 18 years, ≥ 5 cigarettes (cig) per day, not using other smoking cessation interventions. HSI: SmartQuit: 4.9 (SD: 2.5) QuitGuide: 4.7 (SD: 2.4) |
RCT, pilot study, observational, SmartQuit (n = 98) v/s QuitGuide (n = 98), self-reported continuous abstinence |
Abstinence: 2-month follow-up: 13% for SmartQuit v/s 8% for QuitGuide (OR = 2.7; 95% CI 0.8–10.3, p = 0.123) Reduction of consumption: (not specified) |
Increase in craving acceptance for SmartQuit group (p < 0.04) only. High acceptance of craving strongly associated to abstinence at 2-month follow up (OR 6.1; 95% CI 3.0–15.2) |
|
Crane D, Ubhi HK, Brown J, West R. 2018 United Kingdom (45) |
3 months |
N = 28 112 Characteristics of participants: daily or occasional smokers, ≥ 18 years, low to high nicotine dependence, at least 1 use of app |
RCT, 1:1 parallel group, per-protocol analysis, intensive version of app (14 228) v/s minimal version (13 884), self-reported abstinence |
Abstinence:
3-month follow-up: 19.3% for intervention group (n = 234/1213) v/s 13.8% for control group (n = 124/901) (OR: 1.50, 95% CI = 1.18–1.91, p < 0.001) Reduction of consumption: (not specified) |
Not evaluated |
|
Dar R. 2018 Israel (46) |
1 month |
N = 40 Characteristics of participants: 18-45 years, ≥ 5 cig per day Fagerström: -Intervention group: (M: 12.50, SD 3.32) -Control group: (M:19.95, SD 8.56) |
RCT, pilot study, intervention group (n = 20) v/s control group (‘wait list') (n = 20), self-reported number of cig per day |
Abstinence: (not specified) Reduction of consumption: Significant decline in smoking rate at 30 day-trial (p < 0.001) for intervention group only |
Not evaluated |
|
Garrison et al. 2020 USA (47) |
6 months |
N = 505 Characteristics of participants: 18–65 years, (mean) 16 cig per day, ≤ 3 months abstinence the previous year |
RCT, ITT, parallel group: MMT-ES (n = 245) v/s ES (n = 260), survey at 1, 3, and 6 months. Smokerlyzer breath CO monitor. Measurement of craving by CEQ. |
Abstinence:
6-month follow-up: (mean) quit rate 11.1%, no significant difference between the groups (MMT-ES, 9.8%; ES, 12.1%; χ2(1) = 0.43, p = 0.51). Reduction of consumption: At 6 months: significant decrease in number of cig per day (p < 0.0001), of craving intensity (p < 0.0001), of craving frequency (p < 0.0001), and increase in mindfulness (p < 0.05), similar in both groups |
Association between craving and smoking reduced in the MMT-ES group throughout the trial v/s ES. |
|
Hassandra et al. 2017 Finland (48) |
6 months |
N = 44 Characteristics of participants: 18–65 years, >10 cig per day, no psychiatric comorbidity or other addictions |
RCT, pilot trial, 3 weeks behavioral counseling program on benefits of physical activities, additional aid to quit, 3–7 days after quit date: training on relapse prevention and craving management. Intervention group (n = 25) (app + BCT) v/s control group (n = 19) (BCT only), self-reported abstinence |
Abstinence: No significant decrease in quit rate between the two groups (36% intervention group (n = 16/44) v/s 32% control group (n = 14/44)) Reduction of consumption: (not specified) |
No significant decrease in number of relapse or craving. |
|
Krishnan N, Elf JL, Chon S, Golub JE. 2018 USA (49) |
1 month |
N = 102 Characteristics of participants: daily smokers, ≥18 years. Nicotine dependence not specified |
RCT, pilot trial, 1:1, brief intervention (BI) + CO-monitoring+ Coach2Quit v/s BI only, Biochemical verification of carbon monoxide (CO) level (breath and urine test) of cessation |
Abstinence: At 1 month: 1 participant quit in each arm Reduction of consumption: CO level and number of cig per day similar in both groups [(intervention: −3.0 [interquartile range (IQR) −12.0, 2.0] control: −2.5 [IQR −9.0, 2.0]) et (intervention: −5.5 [IQR −14.0, −1.0]; control: −6.0 [IQR −10.0, −2.0]), respectively]. |
Not evaluated |
|
Mavrot C, Wittwer S, Etter JF. 2017 Switzerland (50) |
6 months |
N = 2,892 Characteristics of participants: daily or ex- smokers, ≥18 years, (mean) 16 cig per day, 15 min after waking up |
RCT, ITT, 1:1 parallel group, intervention group (n = 1,449) v/s control group (n = 1,443) (placebo app), self-reported number of cig per day, time before first cig |
Abstinence: At 3 months: 16.2% intervention group v/s 15.7% control group, OR = 1.04; 95% CI [0.85–1.28], p = 0.685. At 6 months: 11.9% intervention group v/s 12.2% control group, OR = 0.97 CI [0.77–1.22], p = 0.819. Quit rate among ex-smokers similar in both arms at baseline. Reduction of consumption: (not specified) |
Not evaluated |
|
O'Connor M, Whelan R, Bricker J, McHugh L. 2019 Ireland (44) |
6 months |
N = 150 Characteristics of participants: ≥18 years, ≥10 cig per day since at least 1 year, no medication Fagerström: 4.7 |
RCT, ITT, 3-arm parallel groups: Combined group (Smartquit + “ACT”) (n = 50) v/s “ACT” group (n = 50) v/s BCT group (n = 50). 6 weeks and 90 min sessions of “ACT” and BCT Biochemical verification of abstinence at 6 weeks and 6 months |
Abstinence: At 6 weeks: 36% combined group v/s 20% “ACT” group v/s 24% BCT group (p > 0.05) At 6 months: 24% combined group v/s 24% “ACT” group v/s 20% BCT group (p > 0.05) Reduction of consumption: Significant decrease for “SmartQuit” group at 6 weeks compared to “ACT” group (p = 0.017) and combined group (p = 0.013). Not significant at 6 months (p = 0.930 and p = 0.759 respectively) |
Not evaluated |
|
Peiris et al. 2019 Australia (51) |
6 months | N = 49Characteristics of participants: aboriginal smokers > 16 yearsNicotine dependence not specified | RCT, pilot trial, 1:1, intervention group (app) (n = 25) v/s control group (usual treatment) (n = 24), carbon monoxide breath test | Abstinence:At 6 months: 4.5% (n = 1/22) intervention group v/s 0% (n = 0/24) control group.Reduction of consumption: (not specified) | Not evaluated |
|
Tombor et al. 2018 United Kingdom (52) |
1 month | N = 565Characteristics of participants: pregnant smokers, >18 years, smoke at least once per weekMedium nicotine dependence (HSI: 2.5) | RCT, factorial design (2x2x2x2x2), evaluation of 5 modules in each arm: intervention group (complete version) v/s control group (minimal version), self-reported number of smoke-free days | Abstinence: (not specified)Reduction of consumption:No significant effect of the 5 modules on use | Not evaluated |
| ALCOHOL | |||||
|
Bertholet N, Godinho A,Cunningham JA. 2018 Canada Switzerland (53) |
6 months | N = 977Characteristics of participants: ≥18ans, AUDIT≥8, ≥15 drinks per weekAUDIT: (M: 18.3, SD: 7.1) | RCT, multicentric, 1:1 parallel group, intervention group (n = 461) v/s control group (n = 516), simple blind, ITT analysis, self-reported number of drinks | Abstinence: (not specified)Reduction of consumption:Number of drinks per week:Baseline: 28.9 (SD: 16.7) in both arms6-month follow-up: 18.9 (SD: 15.0) intervention group v/s 21.4 (SD: 18.0) control group (IRR 0.93, 95% CI 0.84–1.03, p = 0.17)No significant decrease on number of drinks on one occasion (IRR 0.99, 95% CI 0.93–1.06, p = 0.81) | Not evaluated |
|
Crane D, Garnett C, Michie S, West R, Brown J. 2018 United Kingdom (54) |
2 months | N = 672Characteristics of participants: excessive drinkers, ≥18years,AUDIT (M: 19.1, SD: 6.56) willing to quit | RCT, randomized block design, full version (n = 336) v/s minimal version(n = 336) of app, ITT, self-reported number of drinks per week and AUDIT score | Abstinence: (not specified)Reduction of consumption:Non-significant, but numerically larger reduction in number of drinks per week and AUDIT score full version at 2-month follow-up | Not evaluated |
|
Gajecki M, Andersson C, Rosendahl I, Sinadinovic K, Fredriksson M, Berman AH. 2017 Sweden (57) |
3 months | N = 186Characteristics of participants: University students with excessive consumption, AUDIT (M: 10.7, SD: 3.9), quantity: 9.3 drinks/week | RCT, 3-arm study: intervention group (n = 93) v/s “wait list” group (access to app after 6 weeks) (n = 93), compared to control group of another trial (58), assessment by DDQ and AUDIT |
Abstinence: (not specified)Reduction of consumption:Decrease of excessive alcohol consumption in intervention group (45.3%) v/s “wait list” group (50%) v/s control group (72.7%) at 6 weeks, not maintained at 12 weeks Decrease in quantity of drinks for intervention group only (−4.76, 95% CI [−6.67,−2.85], Z = −2.09, p = 0.037), at 6 weeks, not maintained at 12 weeks Decrease in drinking frequency (−0.83, 95% CI [−1.14, −0.52], Z = −2.04, p = 0.041) at 6 and 12 weeks. |
Not evaluated |
|
Gajecki M, Berman AH, Sinadinovic K, Rosendahl I, Andersson C. 2014 Sweden (58) |
7 weeks |
N = 1,932 Characteristics of participants: University students, hazardous drinking, AUDIT: (M: 14,08, SD: 5,00), quantity: 17 drinks/week, frequency: 3,5/week, binge drinking: 1,87/week. |
RCT, 3-arm study, 1:1:1, per-protocol analysis, Promillekoll group (n = 643) v/s PartyPlanner group (n = 640) v/s control group(n = 649), assessment by DDQ, AUDIT and eBAC |
Abstinence: (not specified) Reduction of consumption: No impact on consumption in any of the groups. Per-protocol analysis show an increase in drinking frequency for Promillekoll app compared to control group (p = 0.001) |
Not evaluated |
|
Glass et al. 2017 USA (55) |
12 months |
N = 349 Characteristics of participants: Patients ≥18 years, alcohol use disorder (DSM 4), discharge from 5 residential treatment programs |
RCT, cause and effect study, recruitment 2 weeks before discharge, outpatient addiction treatment + A-CHESS v/s mutual help + A-CHESS, access to app during 8 months, surveys by telephone at 4, 8, and 12 months, self-reported consumption |
Abstinence:
An increase in abstinence was observed in both group with no mediation effect of A-CHESS Reduction of consumption: A decrease in the number of risky drinking days was observed in both groups. A positive correlation with A-CHESS was found in the outpatient addiction treatment group. The A-CHESS group had increased odds of obtaining outpatient addiction treatment (OR = 2.14; 95% IC [1.27–3.61]). |
Not evaluated |
|
Gonzalez VM, Dulin PL. 2015 USA (59) |
6 weeks |
N =54 Characteristics of participants: 18–45 years, alcohol use disorder (DSM5) SADQ: LBMI-A: (M:13,82, SD 6,51)>> low severity Placebo app + bibliography: (M: 16,50, SD: 6,52)>> medium severity |
Controlled pilot trial, not randomized, “LBMI-A” (n = 28) v/s placebo app + bibliography (n = 26), self-reported consumption |
Abstinence: LBMI-A group produced significant increase in quit rate (p < 0.001) whereas the control group did not (p = 0.324) Reduction of consumption: LBMI-A group showed significantly greater decrease in number of drinks per week (p = 0.003) as well as binge drinking (p = 0.007) than placebo app. |
Not evaluated |
|
Gustafson DH, McTavish FM, Chih M et al. 2014 USA (56) |
12 months |
N = 349 Characteristics of participants: Patients ≥18ans, alcohol use disorder (DSM 4), enrolled in 5 residential programs (BCT, motivational intervention, psychoeducation), no psychiatric comorbidities |
RCT, parallel group 1:1, randomized block design, intervention group (usual treatment + A-CHESS) (n = 170) v/s control group (usual treatment only) (n = 179), self-reported consumption |
Abstinence:
Significant increase in quit rate at follow-up compared to control group (51.9 v/s 39.6%; p = 0.03) Reduction of consumption: Signification decrease in number of days of risky drinking in intervention group compared to control group (M = 1.39 days v/s 2.75 days respectively; p = 0.003; 95% CI [0.46–2.27]). |
Not evaluated |
|
Hides et al. 2018 Australia (60) |
6 months |
N = 197 Characteristics of participants: young adults, 16–25 years, hazardous drinking, > 4 drinks/ occasion during the last month, AUDIT > 7 (45.1%) |
RCT, immediate access to app v/s differed access (1 month), assessment by AUDIT score |
Abstinence: (not specified) Reduction of consumption: Increase in knowledge at 1 month without consequence on use (p < 0.001, d = 0.46) Decrease in quantity of consumption at 6 months, mainly among men with problematic used |
Not evaluated |
| OTHER SUBSTANCES THAN ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO | |||||
|
Liang D, Han H, Du J, Zhao M, Hser YI. 2018 China (61) |
1 month |
N = 75 Characteristics of participants: Adult, use of heroin or other substances during the last month, methadone maintenance treatment |
RCT, S-Health (n = 50) v/s control group (SMS only) (n = 25), self-reported consumption and urine test* *morphine, methamphetamine, ketamine, marijuana |
26.2 v/s 50% of positive urine test in the intervention and control group respectively (p = 0.06) Decrease in number of days of consumption the previous week: intervention group (M = 0.71, SD = 1.87) v/s control group (M = 2.20, SD = 3.06) (p < 0.05) |
Not evaluated |
| BINGE EATING DISORDER | |||||
|
Hildebrandt et al. 2017 USA (62) |
6 months |
N = 66 Characteristics of participants: ≥ 18 years, diagnosis of bulimia nervosa or BED, DSM 5 or DMS IV with once weekly binge eating and/or purging |
RCT, ITT, Noom monitor + BCT (self-help guide) v/s BCT only, assessment by EDE-Q | No significant decrease in eating disorder behavior at 6 months. Decrease in compensatory behavior similar in both groups at follow-up |
Not evaluated |
ACT, acceptance and commitment therapy; app, application; AUDIT, alcohol use disorders test; BCT, behavioral cognitive therapy; CEQ, craving experience questionnaire; CI, confidence interval; cig, cigarettes; DDQ, daily drinking questionnaire; eBAC, estimated blood alcohol concentration; EDE-Q; eating disorder examination questionnaire; ES, experience sampling; HSI, heaviness smoking index; IRR, incidence rate ratio; ITT, intention-to-treat; M, mean; MMT-ES, mindfulness training- experience sampling; OR, odd ratio; RCT, randomized controlled trial; RR, relative risk; SD, standard deviation.