A randomised controlled trial of a fully automated online mindfulness-based intervention used by people with problematic alcohol use

INTERVENTION: This project seeks to investigate the efficacy of an internet based fully automated self‐help mindfulness program in the promotion of wellbeing and the reduction of symptoms of anxiety and depression amongst people who drink alcohol to harmful levels. The Mindfulness Online program will be located on the Swinburne University's eTherapy Unit website. Participants within the target demographic will be invited to participate by email and paper‐based flyers. The program consists of three sessions designed to make an individual more mindful or aware of moment to moment experiences. The programs duration is 3 weeks. Participants will complete the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) to determine eligibility for the study (a score of 8 or higher) and eligible participants will be randomly allocated into either a control waitlist group or an active experimental group. The experimental group will access the mindfulness program immediately and will be advised to complete one session per week. Each session is expected to take 20 minutes and is conducted in participants' own time, within the 3 week period. In addition, participants will be encouraged to practise mindfulness each day for five minutes. Both the active experimental group and the waitlist control group will be required to log in and complete a series of questionnaires at pre intervention (25 minutes), post intervention, 1 month follow up and 3 month follow up (20 minutes each). The waitlist control group are not required to undertake further activities during the 3 week intervention phase. CONDITION: Efficacy of internet based intervention targeting mental health and wellbeing in a sample of people who drink alcohol to harmful levels PRIMARY OUTCOME: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS‐21) Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI‐A5) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Credibility Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ) Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) Multidimensional Helath Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) The Mental Health Continuum‐Short Form (MHC‐SF) The Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) INCLUSION CRITERIA: Participants will be aged 18 years or over and will obtain a score of 8 or higher on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).