{rfName}
Ev

Indexed in

License and use

Icono OpenAccess

Citations

Altmetrics

Grant support

We express our gratitudeto all the participants who took part in the focus groups. This study was funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) , the European Union NextGenerationEU, and the Mecanismo para la Recuperacion y la Resiliencia (MRR; grants RD21/0009/0001, RD21/0009/0004, RD21/0009/0007, RD21/0009/0010, and RD21/0009/0025) .

Analysis of institutional authors

Folch-Sanchez, DanielAuthorAmechat, SalmaAuthorMiquel, LaiaCorresponding Author

Share

May 6, 2025
Publications
>
Article

Evaluating Perceptions of the CANreduce 2.0 eHealth Intervention for Cannabis Use: Focus Group Study

Publicated to:Journal Of Medical Internet Research. 27 e65025- - 2025-03-19 27(), DOI: 10.2196/65025

Authors: Folch-Sanchez, Daniel; Pellicer-Roca, Maria; Sestelo, Maria Agustina; Zuluaga, Paola; Arias, Francisco; Cortez, Pablo Guzman; Amechat, Salma; Gil-Berrozpe, Gustavo; Montes, Estefania Lopez; Mercade, Clara; Fonseca, Francina; Miquel, Laia; Mestre-Pinto, Joan, I

Affiliations

Hosp Badalona Germans Trias & Pujol, Unidad Med Interna, Badalona, Spain - Author
Hosp Clin Barcelona, Inst Clin Neurociencies ICN, Inst Invest Biomed August Pi & Sunyer IDIBAPS, Psychiat & Psychol Serv,Addict Unit,Hlth & Addict, C Villarroel 170, Barcelona, Spain - Author
Hosp del Mar Med Res Inst IMIM, Barcelona, Spain - Author
Hosp del Mar Res Inst, Barcelona, Spain - Author
Hosp Univ 12 Octubre, Inst Invest I 12, Madrid, Spain - Author
Hosp Univ Navarra, Navarra, Spain - Author
Inst Neuropsiquiatria & Adicc INAD, Parc Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain - Author
Univ Pompeu Fabra, Dept Med & Life Sci MELIS, Barcelona, Spain - Author
Univ Pompeu Fabra, Neurosci Res Program, Addict Res Grp GRAd, Barcelona, Spain - Author
See more

Abstract

Background: Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug, and admissions for cannabis use disorders (CUDs) are increasing globally, posing a significant public health challenge. Despite its negative consequences, a substantial proportion of individuals with problematic use do not seek treatment. In recent years, digital health interventions (DHIs) have emerged as accessible and cost-effective solutions, empowering users to manage their health care. CANreduce is one such eHealth intervention that has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing cannabis use (CU); however, its suboptimal adherence rates underscore the need for strategies to enhance user engagement and motivation. Objective: This study aims to improve the effectiveness, adherence, and user experience of the Spanish version of CANreduce 2.0 by employing focus groups (FGs) within a user-centered design approach that actively involves both users and professionals. Methods: Separate FGs were conducted for users and professionals, involving a total of 10 participants. Users were recruited from individuals registered on the CANreduce 2.0 platform and active cannabis users, while professionals comprised addiction specialists familiar with the platform. Each session was held remotely and moderated by 2 interviewers following a semistructured script. Qualitative analysis of the transcripts was performed using MAXQDA software and content analysis methodology to identify key themes related to the acceptability, usability, and utility of CANreduce 2.0. Results: The qualitative analysis identified 3 main themes, encompassing 15 subcodes. Within the "motivation and awareness" theme, both users (n=6, mean age 31.8 years, SD 4.1 years) and professionals (n=4, mean age 37.25 years, SD 1.71 years) frequently discussed the importance of "motivation" and "problem awareness" as crucial for the success of CANreduce 2.0. In the "guidance and use" theme, the subcode "complement to face-to-face therapy" was the most emphasized. Professionals supported CANreduce 2.0 as a valuable adjunct to in-person therapy, serving as both an educational and monitoring tool, with no objections raised by either group. Lastly, within the "content and design" theme, "information," "small achievements," and "personalized content" emerged as key areas for improvement, highlighting the need to enhance motivation and adherence through gamification and tailored content. Conclusions: Personalization, robust motivational strategies, and an engaging, interactive design are essential for the success of DHIs, particularly in addiction treatment. Collaboration among technology developers, health care professionals, and users should be central to the development process, fostering the cocreation of practical and effective solutions that are responsiveto the needs of those seeking treatment. This approach ensures that DHIs are not only functional but also widely accepted and impactful. Insights from this study will inform the ongoing refinement of CANreduce 2.0, enhancing its relevance and effectiveness in addressing CU.

Keywords

AddictionAdultCannabisCognitive-behavioral therapyDesignDigital health interventionDigital health interventionsDisordersDruDrug use disorderEfficacyEhealthFemaleFocus groupsHumansInternetMaleMarijuana abuseMiddle agedMotivationPeopleQualitative researchTechnologyTelemedicineUser-centered designUser-centered interventioUser-centered intervention

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Journal Of Medical Internet Research due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 5/44, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Medical Informatics. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-06:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 3 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Folch Sanchez, Daniel) .

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Miquel de Montagut, Laia.