Mobile phone messaging for illicit drug and alcohol dependence: A systematic review of the literature
Corresponding Author
Babak Tofighi MD
Instructor
New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Correspondence to Dr Babak Tofighi, 227 E.30th St. 7th floor, NY, NY 10016, USA. Tel: 646-501-7743; Fax: 646.501.2706; E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorJoseph M. Nicholson
Assistant Curator
Division of General Internal Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJennifer McNeely MD, MS
Assistant Professor
New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Search for more papers by this authorFrederick Muench PhD
Director of Digital Health Interventions at Northwell Health in Behavioral Health and Psychiatry
Health Sciences Library, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
North Shore Health System, New York, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJoshua D. Lee MD, MSc
Associate Professor
New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Babak Tofighi MD
Instructor
New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Correspondence to Dr Babak Tofighi, 227 E.30th St. 7th floor, NY, NY 10016, USA. Tel: 646-501-7743; Fax: 646.501.2706; E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorJoseph M. Nicholson
Assistant Curator
Division of General Internal Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJennifer McNeely MD, MS
Assistant Professor
New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Search for more papers by this authorFrederick Muench PhD
Director of Digital Health Interventions at Northwell Health in Behavioral Health and Psychiatry
Health Sciences Library, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
North Shore Health System, New York, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJoshua D. Lee MD, MSc
Associate Professor
New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Issues. Mobile phone use has increased dramatically and concurrent with rapid developments in mobile phone-based health interventions. The integration of text messaging interventions promises to optimise the delivery of care for persons with substance dependence with minimal disruption to clinical workflows. We conducted a systematic review to assess the acceptability, feasibility and clinical impact of text messaging interventions for persons with illicit drug and alcohol dependence. Approach. Studies were required to evaluate the use of text messaging as an intervention for persons who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition criterion for a diagnosis of illicit drug and/or alcohol dependence. Authors searched for articles published to date in MEDLINE (pubmed.gov), the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, Google Scholar and PsychINFO. Key Findings. Eleven articles met the search criteria for this review and support the acceptability and feasibility of text messaging interventions for addressing illicit drug and alcohol dependence. Most studies demonstrated improved clinical outcomes, medication adherence and engagement with peer support groups. Text messaging interventions also intervened on multiple therapeutic targets such as appointment attendance, motivation, self-efficacy, relapse prevention and social support. Implications. Suggestions for future research are described, including intervention design features, clinician contact, privacy measures and integration of behaviour change theories. Conclusion. Text messaging interventions offer a feasible platform to address a range of substances (i.e. alcohol, methamphetamine, heroin and alcohol), and there is increasing evidence supporting further larger-scale studies. [Tofighi B, Nicholson JM, McNeely J, Muench F, Lee JD. Mobile phone messaging for illicit drug and alcohol dependence: A systematic review of the literature. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:477-491]
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