Cited by 145Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesDigital Mental Health InterventionsCannabis and Cannabinoid Research

Internet and computer based interventions for cannabis use: a meta-analysis

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Tait, Robert J., Spijkerman, Renske, Riper, Heleen·2013·Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Abstract

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.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.012

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  • The participants of these studies have heterogeneous alcohol/drug use and gambling habits; ranging from abstinent, recreational and non-problem users, to those presenting a risk or disorder related to alcohol/drug use or gambling.

    “In addition, the participants of these studies have heterogeneous alcohol/drug use and gambling habits; ranging from abstinent, recreational and non-problem users, to those presenting a risk or disorder related to alcohol/drug use or gambling (for example, Tait and Christensen, 2010; Tait et al., 2013).”

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Authors
Tait, R. J., Spijkerman, R., & Riper, H.
Affiliations
  • Australian National University (AU)
  • Parnassia Groep (NL)
  • Leuphana University of Lüneburg (DE)
Corresponding author
Tait, Robert J.
Venue
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-12
Volume
133
Issue
2
Pages
295-304
ISSN
0376-8716 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2059029447
Cited by
144
References
79
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 2
FWCI
1.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Drug and Alcohol Dependence (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Amsterdam UMC (VU Amsterdam) - Institutional Repository (publishedVersion)
  • VU Research Portal (publishedVersion)
  • eSpace (Curtin University) (submittedVersion)
  • ANU Open Research (Australian National University) (submittedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
  • Multilingual Matters (Channel View Publications) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
Keywords
cannabis use, online intervention, computer-based intervention, digital health interventions, cannabis use frequency, substance use prevention, addiction treatment, intervention effectiveness, adolescents
MeSH terms
Adult, Marijuana Abuse, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Female, Humans, Male, Microcomputers, Regression Analysis, Publication Bias, Internet, Consumer Health Information

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