Mobile phone intervention reduced driving after cannabis use among college students
A pilot trial of 97 college cannabis users found that personalized feedback plus interactive text messaging significantly reduced both driving after cannabis use and riding with impaired drivers over 3 months.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
College cannabis users in the personalized feedback plus MI-style interactive text messaging condition significantly reduced driving after cannabis use (DACU) and riding with a cannabis-impaired driver (RWCD) over 3 months compared to information control.
Key Numbers
97 participants. 67.4% women, mean age 21.34, 80.4% Caucasian. All endorsed DACU at least 3 times in past 3 months. PF+MIT condition significantly reduced both DACU and RWCD vs control at 3 months.
How They Did This
Randomized three-group pilot trial of 97 college cannabis users (67.4% women, mean age 21.34) who endorsed driving after cannabis use at least 3 times in the past 3 months. Three conditions: personalized feedback plus MI text messaging, personalized feedback only, and information control. Outcome measures at 3 months.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis-impaired driving is a growing public health concern with no established brief intervention. This accessible, low-cost mobile intervention showed promise in reducing two of the riskiest cannabis-related behaviors.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabis legalization expands, tools to reduce impaired driving become critical. A mobile-phone-based intervention could be scalable and particularly appropriate for young adults who are already heavy smartphone users.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Pilot study with only 97 participants. Only 3-month follow-up. Predominantly White, female college sample limits generalizability. Self-reported driving outcomes.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would the reductions persist beyond 3 months?
- ?Could this intervention be integrated into college health services or cannabis dispensaries?
- ?Would it work in non-college populations?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Significant reduction in both driving after use and riding with impaired drivers
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: pilot RCT with small sample, short follow-up, and limited population diversity.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- A randomized pilot trial of a mobile phone-based brief intervention with personalized feedback and interactive text messaging to reduce driving after cannabis use and riding with a cannabis impaired driver.
- Published In:
- Journal of substance abuse treatment, 142, 108867 (2022)
- Authors:
- Teeters, Jenni B(2), Armstrong, Nicole M, King, Shelby A(2), Hubbard, Sterling M
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04261
Evidence Hierarchy
A small preliminary study to test whether a larger study is feasible.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What was the intervention?
Participants received personalized feedback about their cannabis-impaired driving risk plus motivational interviewing-style interactive text messages over the study period. This was compared to personalized feedback alone and a simple information control.
Why is cannabis-impaired driving a concern?
Cannabis impairs driving performance, particularly lateral control (lane weaving), and increases crash risk. Many users do not perceive DACU as dangerous.
Could this be widely implemented?
The mobile phone format makes it accessible and low-cost. If larger trials confirm efficacy, it could be deployed through college health centers, apps, or cannabis dispensaries.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04261APA
Teeters, Jenni B; Armstrong, Nicole M; King, Shelby A; Hubbard, Sterling M. (2022). A randomized pilot trial of a mobile phone-based brief intervention with personalized feedback and interactive text messaging to reduce driving after cannabis use and riding with a cannabis impaired driver.. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 142, 108867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108867
MLA
Teeters, Jenni B, et al. "A randomized pilot trial of a mobile phone-based brief intervention with personalized feedback and interactive text messaging to reduce driving after cannabis use and riding with a cannabis impaired driver.." Journal of substance abuse treatment, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108867
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "A randomized pilot trial of a mobile phone-based brief inter..." RTHC-04261. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/teeters-2022-a-randomized-pilot-trial
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.