Meredith SE, et al. – This study was conducted in order to identify and abridge the smartphone applications to reduce alcohol consumption or treat alcohol use disorder (AUD) that were examined for feasibility, acceptability, and/or efficacy. Despite advances in smartphone technology being promising for disseminating interventions among hazardous drinkers and individuals with AUD, additional investigations were warranted to ensure that smartphone apps were clinically beneficial.

Methods

• 2 research databases were examined for peer-reviewed journal articles published in English.
• It assessed the smartphone apps to decrease alcohol consumption or treat AUD.
• 6 apps were identified.

Results

• Two of these apps (A-CHESS and LBMI-A) promoted self-reported reductions in alcohol use, two (Promillekoll and PartyPlanner) failed to promote self-reported reductions in alcohol use, and two (HealthCall-S and Chimpshop) warranted additional analysis and testing before any conclusions regarding efficacy can be made.
• Few evaluations of smartphone apps to reduce alcohol consumption or treat AUD were discovered in the scientific literature.