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Abstract Background The rise of the internet and related technologies has significant implications for the treatment of complex health problems, including the combination of depression and alcohol/other drug (AOD) misuse. To date, no research exists to test the real world uptake of internet and computer-delivered treatment programs in clinical practice. This study is important, as it is the first to examine the adoption of the SHADE treatment program, a DVD-based psychological treatment for depression and AOD use comorbidity, by clinicians working in a publicly-funded AOD clinical service. The study protocol that follows describes the methodology of this dissemination trial. Methods/design 19 clinicians within an AOD service on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, will be recruited to the trial. Consenting clinicians will participate in a baseline focus group discussion designed to explore their experiences and perceived barriers to adopting innovation in their clinical practice. Computer comfort and openness to innovation will also be assessed. Throughout the trial, current, new and wait-list clients will be referred to the research program via the clinical service, which will involve clients completing a baseline and 15-week follow-up clinical assessment with independent research assistants, comprising a range of mental health and AOD measures. Clinicians will also complete session checklists following each clinical session with a client, outlining the extent to which the SHADE computer program was used. Therapeutic alliance will be measured at intake and discharge from both the clinician and client perspectives. Discussion This study will provide comprehensive data on the factors associated with the adoption of an innovative, computer-delivered evidence-based treatment program, SHADE, by clinicians working in an AOD service. The results will contribute to the development of a model of dissemination of SHADE, which could be applied to a range of technological innovations. Clinical trials registry Australian Clinical Trial Registration Number: ACTRN12611000382976.

Abstract Background A large proportion of people attending residential alcohol and other substance abuse treatment have a co-occurring mental illness. Empirical evidence suggests that it is important to treat both the substance abuse problem and co-occurring mental illness concurrently and in an integrated fashion. However, the majority of residential alcohol and other substance abuse services do not address mental illness in a systematic way. It is likely that computer delivered interventions could improve the ability of substance abuse services to address co-occurring mental illness. This protocol describes a study in which we will assess the effectiveness of adding a computer delivered depression and substance abuse intervention for people who are attending residential alcohol and other substance abuse treatment. Methods/Design Participants will be recruited from residential rehabilitation programs operated by the Australian Salvation Army. All participants who satisfy the diagnostic criteria for an alcohol or other substance dependence disorder will be asked to participate in the study. After completion of a baseline assessment, participants will be randomly assigned to either a computer delivered substance abuse and depression intervention (treatment condition) or to a computer-delivered typing tutorial (active control condition). All participants will continue to complete The Salvation Army residential program, a predominantly 12-step based treatment facility. Randomisation will be stratified by gender (Male, Female), length of time the participant has been in the program at the commencement of the study (4 weeks or less, 4 weeks or more), and use of anti-depressant medication (currently prescribed medication, not prescribed medication). Participants in both conditions will complete computer sessions twice per week, over a five-week period. Research staff blind to treatment allocation will complete the assessments at baseline, and then 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post intervention. Participants will also complete weekly self-report measures during the treatment period. Discussion This study will provide comprehensive data on the effect of introducing a computer delivered, cognitive behavioral therapy based co-morbidity treatment program within a residential substance abuse setting. If shown to be effective, this intervention can be disseminated within other residential substance abuse programs. Trial registration Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): ACTRN12611000618954

Abstract Background Mental health inpatients smoke at higher rates than the general population and are disproportionately affected by tobacco dependence. Despite the advent of smoke free policies within mental health hospitals, limited systems are in place to support a cessation attempt post hospitalisation, and international evidence suggests that most smokers return to pre-admission smoking levels following discharge. This protocol describes a randomised controlled trial that will test the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of linking inpatient smoking care with ongoing community cessation support for smokers with a mental illness. Methods/Design This study will be conducted as a randomised controlled trial. 200 smokers with an acute mental illness will be recruited from a large inpatient mental health facility. Participants will complete a baseline survey and will be randomised to either a multimodal smoking cessation intervention or provided with hospital smoking care only. Randomisation will be stratified by diagnosis (psychotic, non-psychotic). Intervention participants will be provided with a brief motivational interview in the inpatient setting and options of ongoing smoking cessation support post discharge: nicotine replacement therapy (NRT); referral to Quitline; smoking cessation groups; and fortnightly telephone support. Outcome data, including cigarettes smoked per day, quit attempts, and self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence (validated by exhaled carbon monoxide), will be collected via blind interview at one week, two months, four months and six months post discharge. Process information will also be collected, including the use of cessation supports and cost of the intervention. Discussion This study will provide comprehensive data on the potential of an integrated, multimodal smoking cessation intervention for persons with an acute mental illness, linking inpatient with community cessation support. Trial Registration Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ANZTCN: ACTRN12609000465257

Abstract Background The increasing popularity and use of the internet makes it an attractive option for providing health information and treatment, including alcohol/other drug use. There is limited research examining how people identify and access information about alcohol or other drug (AOD) use online, or how they assess the usefulness of the information presented. This study examined the strategies that individuals used to identify and navigate a range of AOD websites, along with the attitudes concerning presentation and content. Methods Members of the general community in Brisbane and Roma (Queensland, Australia) were invited to participate in a 30-minute search of the internet for sites related to AOD use, followed by a focus group discussion. Fifty one subjects participated in the study across nine focus groups. Results Participants spent a maximum of 6.5 minutes on any one website, and less if the user was under 25 years of age. Time spent was as little as 2 minutes if the website was not the first accessed. Participants recommended that AOD-related websites should have an engaging home or index page, which quickly and accurately portrayed the site's objectives, and provided clear site navigation options. Website content should clearly match the title and description of the site that is used by internet search engines. Participants supported the development of a portal for AOD websites, suggesting that it would greatly facilitate access and navigation. Treatment programs delivered online were initially viewed with caution. This appeared to be due to limited understanding of what constituted online treatment, including its potential efficacy. Conclusions A range of recommendations arise from this study regarding the design and development of websites, particularly those related to AOD use. These include prudent use of text and information on any one webpage, the use of graphics and colours, and clear, uncluttered navigation options. Implications for future website development are discussed.

Background: Tobacco smoking rates are higher in rural, regional, and remote (RRR) areas in Australia, and strategies to improve access to quit supports are required. This pilot study examined the feasibility of a smoking cessation intervention for people in RRR areas who smoke with the intention of using this data to design a powered effectiveness trial. Methods: A randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the feasibility of a 12‐week 'Outback Quit Pack' intervention consisting of mailout combination nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and a proactive referral to Quitline, compared with a minimal support control (1‐page smoking cessation support information mailout) was conducted between January and October 2021. Participants recruited via mailed invitation or Facebook advertising, were adults who smoked tobacco (≥10 cigarettes/day) and resided in RRR areas of New South Wales, Australia. Participants completed baseline and 12‐week follow‐up telephone surveys. Outcomes were feasibility of trial procedures (recruitment method; retention; biochemical verification) and acceptability of intervention (engagement with Quitline; uptake and use of NRT). Results: Facebook advertising accounted for 97% of participant expressions of interest in the study (N = 100). Retention was similarly high among intervention (39/51) and control (36/49) participants. The intervention was highly acceptable: 80% of the intervention group had ≥1 completed call with Quitline, whilst Quitline made 3.7 outbound calls/participant (mean 14:05 mins duration). Most of the intervention group requested NRT refills (78%). No differences between groups in self‐reported cessation outcomes. Biochemical verification using expired air breath testing was not feasible in this study. Conclusion: The Outback Quit Pack intervention was feasible and acceptable. Alternative methods for remote biochemical verification need further study. So What?: A powered RCT to test the effectiveness of the intervention to improve access to evidence‐based smoking cessation support to people residing in RRR areas is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition affects up to 80% of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and is associated with higher burden of disease, poorer treatment outcomes, and greater mortality. The Eating As Treatment (EAT) intervention is a behavioral intervention previously demonstrated to be effective in improving nutritional status, depression, and quality of life in patients with HNC. This article examines the effects of the EAT intervention on 5-year mortality among participants. A multicenter, stepped-wedge, randomized controlled trial was conducted in 5 Australian hospitals. Dietitians were trained to deliver EAT, a combination of motivational interviewing and cognitive behavior therapy strategies, to patients with HNC receiving radiation therapy. Secondary analyses of survival benefit on an intention-to-treat basis were performed. Differences in proportions of 5-year all-cause mortality between the control and EAT intervention arms were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, and 5-year survival rates were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Analyses controlled for temporal effects (study duration), hospital site (clustering), and baseline nutritional status differences. Overall, there were 64 deaths in the 5 years after enrollment, 36 (24%) among those assigned to the control condition and 28 (18%) among those assigned to EAT. Logistic regression showed statistically significant reduced odds in favor of EAT (odds ratio, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.11-0.96), with an absolute risk reduction of 17% (95% CI, 0.01-0.33) and a relative risk reduction of 55% (95% CI, 0.22-0.92), resulting in a number needed to treat of 6 (95% CI, 4-13). Survival analysis revealed that risk of death was significantly reduced by the EAT intervention (hazard ratio, 0.39; 0.16-0.96). Participation in EAT provided a statistically and clinically meaningful survival benefit, likely via improved nutrition during radiation therapy. This survival benefit strengthens the finding of the main trial, showing that a behavioral intervention focused on nutrition could improve HNC outcomes. Replication studies using stepped-wedge designs for implementation into clinical practice may be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveSmoke-free policies have been introduced in inpatient psychiatric facilities in most developed nations. Such a period of supported abstinence during hospitalization may impact smoking behaviours post discharge, yet little quantitative evidence exists. The aim of this review was to provide the first synthesis of the research evidence examining the impact of a smoke-free psychiatric hospitalization on patients' smoking-related behaviours, motivation, and beliefs.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE from inception to June 2013. Studies were included if they were conducted in an inpatient psychiatric facility with a smoke-free policy and if they examined any change in patients' smoking-related behaviours, motivation, or beliefs either during admission, post discharge, or both. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool.ResultsFourteen studies were included in the review. Of the four studies that assessed change in smoking from admission to post discharge, two indicated a significant decline in cigarette consumption up to 3 months post discharge. Positive changes in motivation to quit and beliefs about quitting ability were identified in two studies. One study reported an increase in the rate of quit attempts and one reported a decline in nicotine dependence levels.ConclusionsA smoke-free psychiatric hospitalization may have a positive impact on patients' smoking-related behaviours, motivation, and beliefs, both during admission and up to 3 months post discharge. Further controlled studies with more rigorous designs are required to confirm this potential.

BackgroundMental health and alcohol use problems are among the most common causes of disease burden in young Australians, frequently co-occur (comorbidity), and lead to significant lifetime burden. However, comorbidities remain significantly underdetected and undertreated in health settings. Digital mental health tools designed to identify at-risk individuals, encourage help-seeking, or deliver treatment for comorbidity have the potential to address this service gap. However, despite a strong body of evidence that digital mental health programs provide an effective treatment option for a range of mental health and alcohol use problems in young adults, research shows that uptake rates can be low. Thus, it is important to understand the factors that influence treatment satisfaction and quality-of-life outcomes for young adults who access e–mental health interventions for comorbidity. ObjectiveIn this study, we seek to understand the factors that influence treatment satisfaction and quality-of-life outcomes for young adults who access e–mental health interventions for comorbid alcohol and mood disorders. The aim is to determine the importance of personality (ie, Big Five personality traits and intervention attitudes), affective factors (ie, depression, anxiety, and stress levels), and baseline alcohol consumption in predicting intervention trial engagement at sign-up, satisfaction with the online tool, and quality of life at the end of the iTreAD (Internet Treatment for Alcohol and Depression) trial. MethodsAustralian adults (N=411) aged between 18 and 30 years who screened positive for depression and alcohol use problems signed up for the iTreAD project between August 2014 and October 2015. During registration, participants provided information about their personality, current affective state, alcohol use, treatment expectations, and basic demographic information. Subsequent follow-up surveys were used to gauge the ongoing trial engagement. The last follow-up questionnaire, completed at 64 weeks, assessed participants’ satisfaction with web-based treatment and quality-of-life outcomes. ResultsMultiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the relative influence of predictor variables on trial engagement, treatment satisfaction, and quality-of-life outcomes. The analyses revealed that the overall predictive effects of personality and affective factors were 20% or lower. Neuroticism constituted a unique predictor of engagement with the iTreAD study in that neuroticism facilitated the return of web-based self-assessments during the study. The return of incentivized follow-up assessments predicted treatment satisfaction, and state-based depression predicted variance in quality-of-life reports at study completion. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that traditional predictors of engagement observed in face-to-face research may not be easily transferable to digital health interventions, particularly those aimed at comorbid mental health concerns and alcohol misuse among young adults. More research is needed to identify what determines engagement in this population to optimally design and execute digital intervention studies with multiple treatment aims. Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN): 12614000310662; http://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=365137&isReview=true. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.1186/s12889-015-2365-2

BackgroundDespite the importance and popularity of mutual support groups, there have been no systematic attempts to implement and evaluate routine outcome monitoring (ROM) in these settings. Unlike other mutual support groups for addiction, trained facilitators lead all Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery) groups, thereby providing an opportunity to implement ROM as a routine component of SMART Recovery groups. ObjectiveThis study protocol aims to describe a stage 1 pilot study designed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a novel, purpose-built mobile health (mHealth) ROM and feedback app (Smart Track) in SMART Recovery groups coordinated by SMART Recovery Australia (SRAU) The secondary objectives are to describe Smart Track usage patterns, explore psychometric properties of the ROM items (ie, internal reliability and convergent and divergent validity), and provide preliminary evidence for participant reported outcomes (such as alcohol and other drug use, self-reported recovery, and mental health). MethodsParticipants (n=100) from the SMART Recovery groups across New South Wales, Australia, will be recruited to a nonrandomized, prospective, single-arm trial of the Smart Track app. There are 4 modes of data collection: (1) ROM data collected from group participants via the Smart Track app, (2) data analytics summarizing user interactions with Smart Track, (3) quantitative interview and survey data of group participants (baseline, 2-week follow-up, and 2-month follow-up), and (4) qualitative interviews with group participants (n=20) and facilitators (n=10). Feasibility and acceptability (primary objectives) will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, a cost analysis, and a qualitative evaluation. ResultsAt the time of submission, 13 sites (25 groups per week) had agreed to be involved. Funding was awarded on August 14, 2017, and ethics approval was granted on April 26, 2018 (HREC/18/WGONG/34; 2018/099). Enrollment is due to commence in July 2019. Data collection is due to be finalized in October 2019. ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to use ROM and tailored feedback within a mutual support group setting for addictive behaviors. Our study design will provide an opportunity to identify the acceptability of a novel mHealth ROM and feedback app within this setting and provide detailed information on what factors promote or hinder ROM usage within this context. This project aims to offer a new tool, should Smart Track prove feasible and acceptable, that service providers, policy makers, and researchers could use in the future to understand the impact of SMART Recovery groups. Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12619000686101; https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377336. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/15113