In the study, the participants were randomly divided into two groups.
One group had to use already existing aids and was asked to motivate themselves.
The other group had access to a new digital aid developed by university lecturer Marcus Bendtsen and his colleagues.
The digital aid functioned as a diary.
Where the participants reported their alcohol consumption, set personal goals and kept track of their drinking over time.
It was also possible to set reminders and more.
- I think it was an effective aid because we focused on concrete things about how to reduce consumption.
I think that's the key, that we managed to strengthen these people's craft in how to reduce their consumption, says Marcus Bendtsen.
Had 25 percent lower alcohol consumption
The difference between the two groups was found to be significant when the study was completed.
Those who had had access to the researchers' aid had 25 percent lower alcohol consumption than the other group, and the digital aid also proved to work slightly better than personal conversations.
- It was not surprising, we have seen it in previous studies internationally.
Short conversations about alcohol habits and digital support are fairly even.
You could say they work about equally well, but I will add that different supports work differently for different people.
The study is based on participants who stated that they want to reduce their alcohol intake, and now the researchers are working on completing an app based on the experiences of the study.