Abstract
Background:Cognitive behavioral group therapy has developed several techniques in order to make the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders more effective. Particularly, the “homework” is a tool in order to practice therapeutic skills in ecological settings. When working with this aim, it is often necessary to support patient compliance.Researches have shown the efficacy of sending a text to the patients in order to support the patient compliance, but only a few data are available on the effectiveness of sending text in the treatment of depression and anxiety.Objective:Verify the effectiveness of sending text in the treatment of depression and anxiety in order to support patient compliance.Methods:Participants were enrolled for cognitive behavioral group therapy. Once completed the treatment, a sub-group of participants (Yes SMS group) was reached by a weekly text message for the whole 3 months time between the end of the intervention and the scheduled follow-up session.All the participants were assessed for the overall psychopathological symptoms, depression, and anxiety before and after the group intervention, and at the 3 months follow up.Results:Both groups improved from pre to post-treatment in all the assessed dimensions; the enhancement endures up to the 3 months follow up.Comparing the two groups regardless of the diagnosis, the Yes SMS group shows significant better outcomes in depression at follow-up and in anxiety both at post-treatment and at follow-up.Conclusion:The weekly SMS as prompt seems to enhance the patient’s compliance.
Highlights
The prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Disorders is high; at a global level, it is estimated that the percentage of the world’s population suffering from depression is 4.4%, whereas 3.6% suffer from anxiety [1]
The pre-test between the Yes SMS Anxiety and the No SMS Anxiety subgroups showed no significant differences in all tests (Mann-Whitney Test: all ps >.06); in the same way, by comparing the Yes SMS Depression and the No SMS Depression subgroups, no significant differences have emerged in all tests (Mann-Whitney Test: all ps >.55)
The results have demonstrated that the treatment has had good patient acceptability, where no participant dropped out of the cognitive behavioral group treatment
Summary
The prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Disorders is high; at a global level, it is estimated that the percentage of the world’s population suffering from depression is 4.4%, whereas 3.6% suffer from anxiety [1]. Cognitive behavioral group therapy has developed several techniques in order to make the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders more effective. The “homework” is a tool in order to practice therapeutic skills in ecological settings. When working with this aim, it is often necessary to support patient compliance. Researches have shown the efficacy of sending a text to the patients in order to support the patient compliance, but only a few data are available on the effectiveness of sending text in the treatment of depression and anxiety
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
