Sensitivity of hypothetical purchase task indices when studying substance use: A systematic literature review

Hypothetical Purchase Tasks (HPTs) simulate demand for a substance as a function of escalating price. HPTs are increasingly used to examine relationships between substance-related correlates and outcomes and demand typically characterized using a common battery of indices (Intensity, Omax, Pmax, Breakpoint, Elasticity). This review examines the relative sensitivity of the HPT indices. Reports were identified using the search term “purchase task” in PubMed and Web of Science. For inclusion, reports had to be original studies in English, examine relationships between HPT indices and substance-related correlates or outcomes, and appear in a peer-reviewed journal through December 2017. Indices were compared using effect sizes (Cohen's d) and the proportion of studies in which statistically significant relationships were observed. The search identified 1274 reports with 114 (9%) receiving full-text review and 82 (6%) meeting inclusion criteria. 41 reports examined alcohol, 34 examined cigarettes/nicotine products, and 10 examined other substances. Overall, statistically significant relationships between HPT indices and substance-related correlates and outcomes were most often reported for Intensity (88.61%, 70/79), followed by Omax (81.16%, 56/69), Elasticity (72.15%, 57/59), Breakpoint (62.12%, 41/66), and Pmax (48.08%; 25/52). The largest effect sizes were observed for Intensity (0.75 ± 0.04, CI 0.67–0.84) and Omax (0.64 ± 0.04, CI 0.56–0.71), followed by Elasticity (0.44 ± 0.04, CI 0.37–0.51), Breakpoint (0.30 ± 0.03, CI 0.25–0.36), and Pmax (0.25 ± 0.04, CI 0.18–0.33). Patterns were largely consistent across substances. In conclusion, HPTs can be highly effective in revealing relationships between demand and substance-related correlates and outcomes, with Intensity and Omax exhibiting the greatest sensitivity. •A systematic literature review of studies using hypothetical purchase tasks (HPTs)•The review exclusively focused on studies using HPTs to assess substance use.•Overarching aim was to assess the relative sensitivity of the five HPT indices.•Intensity and Omax were more sensitive than Elasticity, Breakpoint, or Pmax.•That pattern had generality across multiple substances and study types.