OBJECTIVES: The increasing abuse of drugs and availability of alcohol, warrant treatments to support individuals beyond clinical settings and adoption of coping and self-control strategies. Telehealth provides innovative interventions for treating and reducing the consumption of illicit substances and alcohol. The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis and systematic review comparing the effect of telehealth interventions on reduction of usage or maintaining abstinence from illicit substances.

METHODS: A comprehensive search of eight electronic databases (Embase, SCOPUS, National Library of Medicine Catalog (Medline/PubMed), PsycInfo, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Psychology and Behavioral Collection, EBSCO Health (MEDLINE), and the Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) was conducted. Randomized controlled trials were included if they assessed telehealth interventions that provide support and counsel addicted individuals via telephone calls and/or web-based interventions; abuse of substances; and have reported a measurable substance usage outcome. The Physiotherapy Evidence database (PEDro) Scale was used to determine the quality of the articles, based on the reported study protocols and results. Numerical data for the meta-analysis included sample sizes, use outcome means and standard deviations from baseline and post-intervention, as well as effect sizes for each study whenever data were available. Pooled random effects models were used to calculate overall mean effects for consumption of substances pre- and post-intervention.

RESULTS: Nine articles fit all systematic review and meta-analysis criteria. Initial analyses indicated that telehealth interventions showed no significant reduction/abstinence of substances (mean Δ = 0.491, p = 0.135), albeit with substantial heterogeneity. Further analysis and outlier removal, telehealth interventions demonstrated significant impact on the reduction of substance use/increased abstinence (mean Δ = 0.140, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the systematic review with meta-analysis indicate that supplementary interventions through telehealth generally have a positive impact on reducing/abstaining the consumption of illicit substances among adults.