Components Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Research Articles

Treatments and interventions for compulsive sexual behavior disorder with a focus on problematic pornography use: A preregistered systematic review.

Compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) which includes problematic pornography use (PPU) is a clinically relevant syndrome that has been included in the ICD-11 as impulse control disorder. The number of studies on treatments in CSBD and PPU increased in the last years. The current preregistered systematic review aimed for identifying treatment studies on CSBD and PPU as well as treatment effects on symptom severity and behavior enactment. The study was preregistered at Prospero International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42021252329). The literature search done in February 2022 at PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycInfo, included original research published in peer-reviewed journals between 2000 to end 2021. The risk of bias was assessed with the CONSORT criteria. A quantitative synthesis based on effect sizes was done. Overall 24 studies were identified. Four of these studies were randomized controlled trials. Treatment approaches included settings with cognitive behavior therapy components, psychotherapy methods, and psychopharmacological therapy. Receiving treatment seems to improve symptoms of CSBD and PPU. Especially, evidence for the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy is present. There is first evidence for the effectiveness of treatment approaches such as cognitive behavior therapy. However, strong conclusions on the specificity of treatments should be drawn with caution. More rigorous and systematic methodological approaches are needed for future studies. Results may be informative for future research and the development of specific treatment programs for CSBD and PPU.

Intensive Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Adolescents: A Case Study

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common psychiatric conditions in youth and can contribute to impairment in social, academic, and family functioning. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be efficacious in treating youth anxiety disorders; however, for a multitude of reasons, fewer than 20% of adolescents with anxiety disorders receive services for anxiety-related problems. Intensive treatments, which rely on the same traditional components of CBT but are delivered over a shorter period of time or in a fewer number of sessions, may be particularly helpful for anxiety disorders and can offer a number of advantages over standard CBT. Despite emerging evidence supporting the advantages of the intensive approach, there are few established intensive treatment programs for youth with anxiety disorders. Further, no treatment to date has comprehensively targeted the entire spectrum of comorbid adolescent anxiety disorders in a combined intensive and transdiagnostic format, even though non-intensive (i.e., weekly delivered) CBT has been tested using a transdiagnostic approach. We developed an intensive, six-session intervention based on Angelosante and colleagues’ 2009 The Adolescent Panic Control Treatment with In-Vivo Exposures (Angelosante et al., 2009) and other empirically-supported treatments for youth to target all anxiety disorders in adolescents. We present a case study on an adolescent with multiple comorbid anxiety and related disorders who received intensive CBT treatment as a way to illustrate the clinical benefit and utility of an intensive, transdiagnostic approach. Findings support the acceptability and feasibility of transdiagnostic treatment of youth anxiety.

P61. Digital rehabilitation for acute low back pain: a prospective longitudinal cohort study

<h3>BACKGROUND CONTEXT</h3> Low back pain (LBP) has a lifetime prevalence of 70-80%. Access to timely and personalized, evidence-based care is key to prevent chronification [1-3]. Digital solutions may increase accessibility to treatment, while reducing healthcare-related costs [4, 5]. <h3>PURPOSE</h3> To assess the outcomes and engagement of a fully remote multimodal digital care program (DCP) on a real-world cohort of patients with acute LBP stratified by pain level at baseline. <h3>STUDY DESIGN/SETTING</h3> Interventional, single-arm, cohort study of individuals with acute LBP who received a home-based DCP. This study is part of a trial that was prospectively approved by the New England Institutional Review Board (number 120190313) and registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04092946). <h3>PATIENT SAMPLE</h3> A total of 406 patients at program start, 332 (81.8%) completed the intervention. <h3>OUTCOME MEASURES</h3> Primary outcome was the mean change in disability (Oswestry Disability Index - ODI) until the end of the program. Secondary outcomes included change in pain (NPRS), analgesic consumption, surgery likelihood, depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), fear-avoidance beliefs (FABQ-PA), work productivity (WPAI) and engagement. <h3>METHODS</h3> This DCP integrates an FDA-listed class II medical device comprised of two inertial motion trackers, a mobile app on a dedicated tablet, and a cloud-based portal which interfaces between the patient and an assigned physical therapist, who monitors the patient and performs the necessary adjustments during intervention. The DCP combines exercise and education, including major components of cognitive behavioral therapy. Outcomes changes were modeled using Latent growth curve analysis with full maximum likelihood estimation for missing data. Three risk subgroups were created based on pain levels at baseline, according to the pain thresholds proposed by Miró et al.,[6]: (i) mild (<3), (ii) moderate (4-6) and (iii) severe (7). <h3>RESULTS</h3> A significant disability reduction of 55.1% (14.93, 95%CI 13.95; 15.91) was observed, corresponding to an 76.1% responder rate (30% cut-off). Disability reduction strongly correlated with improvements in pain (61.0%), depression (55.4%) and productivity (65.6%). Surgery likelihood (59.1%), fear-avoidance beliefs (46.3%), anxiety (59.5%), and analgesic consumption (from 35.7% at baseline to 10.8% at program end) were similarly reduced. Patient satisfaction score was 8.7/10.0 (SD 1.4). Significant improvements in all LBP risk subgroups were seen after the DCP, with higher reductions in pain, ODI, analgesics intake, and productivity impairment in the high-risk subgroup, suggesting that higher risk individuals are not less likely to respond this treatment, as has been reported in other studies [7]. <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> This study demonstrated the utility of a multimodal DCP for patients with acute LBP. Very high adherence rates and patient satisfaction were observed, alongside clinically significant reductions in all assessed outcomes, consistent with the growing body of evidence supporting the management of acute LBP with DCPs[7]. 1. Lancet 1999;354:581-5. 2. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2010;24:769-81. 3. Bull World Health Organ 2003;81:646-56. 4. J Med Internet Res 2017;19:e179. 5. J Med Internet Res 2016;18:e139. 6. Disabil Rehabil 2017;39:1131-1135. 7. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2019;98:850-858. <h3>FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS</h3> This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

The antidepressant effect of cognitive reappraisal training on individuals cognitively vulnerable to depression: Could cognitive bias be modified through the prefrontal-amygdala circuits?

Cognitive reappraisal (CR) is one of the core treatment components of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and is the gold standard treatment for major depressive disorders. Accumulating evidence indicates that cognitive reappraisal could function as a protective factor of cognitive vulnerability to depression. However, the neural mechanism by which CR training reduces cognitive vulnerability to depression is unclear. There is ample evidence that the prefrontal–amygdala circuit is involved in CR. This study proposes a novel cognitive bias model of CR training which hypothesizes that CR training may improve the generation ability of CR with altered prefrontal–amygdala functional activation/connectivity, thus reducing negative cognitive bias (negative attention bias, negative memory bias, negative interpretation bias, and/or negative rumination bias) and alleviating depressive symptoms. This study aims to (1) explore whether there is abnormal CR strategy generation ability in individuals who are cognitively vulnerable to depression; (2) test the hypothesis that CR training alleviates depressive symptoms through the mediators of cognitive bias (interpretation bias and/or rumination bias); (3) explore the neural mechanism by which CR training may enhance the ability of CR strategy generation; and (4) examine the short- and long-term effects of CR training on the reduction in depressive symptoms in individuals who are cognitively vulnerable to depression following intervention and 6 months later. The study is promising, providing theoretical and practical evidence for the early intervention of depression-vulnerable individuals.

Neuronal Activity during Exposure to Specific Phobia through fMRI: Comparing Therapeutic Components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) packages for anxiety disorders, such as phobias, usually include gradual exposure to anxious contexts, positive self-verbalizations, and relaxation breathing. The objective of this research was to analyze the specific neural activation produced by the self-verbalizations (S) and breathing (B) included in CBT. Thirty participants with clinical levels of a specific phobia to small animals were randomly assigned to three fMRI conditions in which individuals were exposed to phobic stimuli in real images: a group underwent S as a technique to reduce anxiety; a second group underwent B; and a control group underwent exposure only (E). Simple effects showed higher brain activation comparing E > S, E > B, and S > B. In particular, in the E group, compared to the experimental conditions, an activation was observed in sensory-perceptive and prefrontal and in other regions involved in the triggering of emotion (i.e., amygdala, supplementary motor area, and cingulate gyrus) as well as an activation associated with interoceptive sensitivity (i.e., insula and cingulate cortex). According to the specific tool used, discrepancies in the neural changes of CBT efficacy were observed. We discuss the theoretical implications according to the dual model of CBT as a set of therapeutic tools that activate different processes.

Network Meta-Analysis examining the efficacy of components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Network Meta-Analysis examining the efficacy of components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Primary aim results of a clustered SMART for developing a school-level, adaptive implementation strategy to support CBT delivery at high schools in Michigan

BackgroundSchools increasingly provide mental health services to students, but often lack access to implementation strategies to support school-based (and school professional [SP]) delivery of evidence-based practices. Given substantial heterogeneity in implementation barriers across schools, development of adaptive implementation strategies that guide which implementation strategies to provide to which schools and when may be necessary to support scale-up.MethodsA clustered, sequential, multiple-assignment randomized trial (SMART) of high schools across Michigan was used to inform the development of a school-level adaptive implementation strategy for supporting SP-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). All schools were first provided with implementation support informed by Replicating Effective Programs (REP) and then were randomized to add in-person Coaching or not (phase 1). After 8 weeks, schools were assessed for response based on SP-reported frequency of CBT delivered to students and/or barriers reported. Responder schools continued with phase 1 implementation strategies. Slower-responder schools (not providing ≥ 3 CBT components to ≥10 students or >2 organizational barriers identified) were re-randomized to add Facilitation to current support or not (phase 2). The primary aim hypothesis was that SPs at schools receiving the REP + Coaching + Facilitation adaptive implementation strategy would deliver more CBT sessions than SPs at schools receiving REP alone. Secondary aims compared four implementation strategies (Coaching vs no Coaching × Facilitation vs no Facilitation) on CBT sessions delivered, including by type (group, brief and full individual). Analyses used a marginal, weighted least squares approach developed for clustered SMARTs.ResultsSPs (n = 169) at 94 high schools entered the study. N = 83 schools (88%) were slower-responders after phase 1. Contrary to the primary aim hypothesis, there was no evidence of a significant difference in CBT sessions delivered between REP + Coaching + Facilitation and REP alone (111.4 vs. 121.1 average total CBT sessions; p = 0.63). In secondary analyses, the adaptive strategy that offered REP + Facilitation resulted in the highest average CBT delivery (154.1 sessions) and the non-adaptive strategy offering REP + Coaching the lowest (94.5 sessions).ConclusionsThe most effective strategy in terms of average SP-reported CBT delivery is the adaptive implementation strategy that (i) begins with REP, (ii) augments with Facilitation for slower-responder schools (schools where SPs identified organizational barriers or struggled to deliver CBT), and (iii) stays the course with REP for responder schools.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03541317, May 30, 2018.

Testing delivery of components of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia to breast cancer survivors by smart speaker: a study protocol

BackgroundInsomnia is common in breast cancer survivors (BCS), affecting an estimated 30–50% of the 3.8 million BCS in the US. Insomnia is associated with health consequences for cardiometabolic and immune systems, neurobehavioral function, depression, fatigue, and quality of life and may put BCS at particular risk. While pharmacotherapy for insomnia may address symptoms in the short-term, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is considered the gold standard insomnia treatment. We describe our protocol to determine the efficacy of voice-activated delivery of CBT-I components on insomnia symptoms compared to a sleep education control among BCS.MethodsWe will conduct a 6-week, randomized controlled trial with two arms. Intervention arm participants will receive a smart speaker device and will be asked to engage with the program daily, using a voice-activated speaker with an accompanying smart-phone app. Control participants will have access to a website with basic information about CBT-I, sleep, and breast cancer survivorship and will be asked to engage with the website as desired.DiscussionOur primary outcome is the Insomnia Severity Index total score. Secondary outcomes include sleep diary outcomes (sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, sleep onset latency, total sleep time, and sleep quality). This study will provide evidence on a promising modality to deliver elements of CBT-I for BCS experiencing insomnia.Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05233800 Released 3/25/2022.

Client-rated facilitators and barriers to long-term youth anxiety disorder recovery.

This study examined client ratings of 26 facilitators and barriers to anxiety improvement approximately 6 years after randomization to treatment for anxiety. 319 youth (average 17.12 years old; 82.1% Caucasian; 58.6% female) participated in the longitudinal follow-up study to child and adolescent anxiety multimodal study (CAMS), a randomized controlled trial of medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), combination, and placebo. Correcting for multiple comparisons, CBT components (i.e., problem solving, changing unhelpful thoughts, relaxation skills) were rated significantly more helpful among youth without, versus with, an anxiety disorder at follow-up. Barriers that differentiated youth with and without an anxiety disorder included being bullied and difficulty applying therapy content to new situations. Comparisons between youth with different anxiety disorder trajectories (e.g., stable remission, relapsed, or chronically ill) also revealed several differences. Findings suggest that client-rated facilitators and barriers covary with anxiety disorder recovery and may serve as useful tools when evaluating long-term treatment efficacy.

0627 The Effects of Insomnia Therapy on Depression, Anxiety, and Daily Functioning in Individuals with Insomnia and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract Introduction Insomnia is common in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and is associated with worse neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and impaired daily functioning. Evidence suggests treating insomnia may resolve some of these difficulties in cognitively normal adults. However, little is known about the effects of improving sleep on these domains in older adults with MCI. Methods We examined whether MCI status moderates the improvements of a behavioral intervention for insomnia on NPS and daily functioning. 125 adults (mean age=69.18, 34.4% male) with insomnia (38 with MCI as determined by a Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MoCA score &amp;lt; 26) completed the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and five domains (activity, vigilance, intimacy, productivity, and social) of the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) before (BL) and after (ETX) completing either the behavioral, cognitive, or combined components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Linear mixed effects models were used to determine the effect of MCI status, time, and an MCI-by-time interaction on NPS and daily functioning while covarying for sex. Results Treatment improved BDI (p&amp;lt;0.001), BAI (p&amp;lt;0.001), ISI (p&amp;lt;0.001), productivity (p&amp;lt;0.008), activity (p&amp;lt;0.001), social functioning (p=0.014), and FOSQ total score (p=0.015) regardless of MCI status at ETX compared to BL. Treatment did not significantly improve vigilance (p=0.154) or intimacy (p=0.439). There was a significant MCI-by-time interaction for the FOSQ social domain (p=0.041) with MCI participants showing greater improvements in social functioning compared to non-MCI participants. There were no other significant MCI-by-time interactions. Conclusion These findings suggest insomnia therapy can similarly improve aspects of sleep-related daily functioning, insomnia severity, and NPS regardless of MCI. However, insomnia therapy may be more beneficial in improving social functioning for individuals with MCI. Support (If Any) NIMHR01MH101468-01; Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) at the VAPAHCS

Changes in positive and negative voice content in cognitive-behavioural therapy for distressing voices.

ObjectivePeople who experience distressing voices frequently report negative (e.g. abusive or threatening) voice content and this is a key driver of distress. There has also been recognition that positive (e.g. reassuring, or guiding) voice content contributes to better outcomes. Despite this, voice content has been neglected as a standalone outcome in evaluations of psychological therapies for distressing voices. We aimed to examine whether a modular cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention for voices led to changes in negative and positive voice content.Design/MethodsIn a naturalistic, uncontrolled pre‐ and post‐ service evaluation study, 32 clients at an outpatient psychology service for distressing voices received eight sessions of CBT for distressing voices and completed self‐report measures of negative and positive voice content at pre‐, mid‐ and post‐ therapy.ResultsThere was no significant change in positive voice content. There was no significant change in negative voice content from pre‐ to post‐therapy; however, there was a significant change in negative voice content between mid and post‐treatment in which the cognitive therapy component was delivered. The CBT treatment was also associated with significant changes in routinely reported outcomes of voice‐related distress and voice severity.ConclusionsThe cognitive component of CBT for distressing voices may be associated with changes in negative, but not positive, voice content. There may be benefit to enhancing these effects by developing treatments targeting specific processes involved in negative and positive voice content and further exploring efficacy in well‐powered, controlled trials with more comprehensive measures of voice content.

Formulating psychosis: a thematic analysis of CBTp trainees’ experiences

AbstractThe NICE guidance states that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) should now be offered to everyone with psychosis in the UK. This has rightly resulted in an increased demand for adherent therapy from qualified clinicians. Individualised formulation is a key component of CBT for psychosis, yet many trainees struggle to make sense of and apply the theoretical models on which these are based. This study explored trainee and recently qualified therapists’ experience of formulating CBT for psychosis, to help us understand how best to guide training and clinical practice. We ran focus groups with trainees who were completing, or had recently completed, postgraduate training in CBT for psychosis. We then analysed verbatim transcripts of the semi-structured interviews. and completed a thematic analysis of the data using inductive open coding. Three over-arching themes were generated: (1) purpose of formulation, (2) formulation in practice, and (3) (reflection on) learning to formulate. Training programmes and clinical supervisors should focus on fostering trainees’ and newly qualified therapists’ ability to develop simple, targeted formulations. These will draw on maintenance and developmental models of psychosis, depending on the person’s needs and goals. Opportunities for procedural learning are likely to improve skilful formulation, and use as the basis for therapeutic change.Key learning aims(1)CBT for psychosis is best guided by individualised formulation.(2)The range and complexity of current theoretical models is challenging.(3)A qualitative analysis of trainee and recently qualified therapists’ experiences highlights means of facilitating understanding and application of these models.

ВИНИКНЕННЯ ТА ЕМОЦІЙНЕ РЕГУЛЮВАННЯ РОЗЛАДІВ, ПОВ'ЯЗАНИХ З УЖИВАННЯМ ПСИХОТРОПНИХ РЕЧОВИН

The present article focuses on emotion regulation as a predictors and treatment of substance addictions, the scope of this theoretical review is in response to the problematic issue of emotional dysregulation and its intergenerational trauma among families with substance use disorders. It is emphasized that substance dependence is a disorder characterized by a disturbance in the regulation of emotional processes. It has been found that the use of drugs in order to quickly relieve emotional pain acts as a very strong negative reinforcer and disrupts the foundations of the development of emotional management in the consumer. Of course, the children of these families do not learn emotional skills through modeling sick behavior and have difficulty in regulating and managing their emotions. Therefore, the importance of emotional skills and strengthening the management of emotions in the context of restoring emotional maturity and mental health has been investigated as one of the important tools for addiction recovery and the mental health of substance addictions and their children. In the field of emotional management psychotherapy, two classic forms of addiction treatment, which are Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), have been examined and compared. The two main known components of CBT for addiction, cognitive-behavioral therapy and functional analysis and training, are generally known to be effective in managing negative emotions. The two main known components of CBT for addiction, cognitive-behavioral therapy and functional analysis and skill training, are generally known to be effective in managing negative emotions. By analyzing specific emotional disorders among substance users' families, these emotional problems have been identified and classified, and in this regard, investigated why skills through emotion regulation therapy (ERT) is a vital part of addiction treatment.

Exposure Quality in Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Youth Anxiety Disorders\u2014Predictors and Associations with Outcomes

To optimize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) outcomes for anxiety disorders in youth, more knowledge is needed about how specific CBT components work. Exposure to feared situations is an effective CBT component. However, there is little observation-based empirical research on how exposure relates to outcomes and other clinical variables. In a randomized controlled community clinic trial for youth with anxiety disorders, observers reliably rated exposure quality for 68 youths aged 8 to 15 years based on 118 videotaped sessions. The treatment program was the manual-based FRIENDS program. Three exposure quality elements (preparation, post-processing, and parent contribution to exposure) were examined in relation to pre-treatment demographic and clinical variables, outcomes, and youth- and therapist-rated alliance using multilevel hierarchical regression models. The outcomes were diagnostic recovery, clinical severity and anxiety symptoms change from pre- to post-treatment and one-year follow-up, and treatment dropout. The results showed that parent contribution to exposure was higher for boys and younger children. Parent contribution to exposure, but no other exposure element, was associated with a larger likelihood of diagnostic recovery and larger clinical severity reduction at one-year follow-up. Exposure quality was unrelated to outcomes at post-treatment, dropout, or alliance. We conclude that enhancing parent contribution to exposure during treatment could improve long-term outcomes after CBT for youth anxiety disorders. Exposure elements should be observed in larger samples to further examine their potential role for CBT outcomes.

Attention and Imagery in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain: An Exploratory Study

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to have a small to medium effect on chronic pain, necessitating further research to identify which components of CBT work for which type of patient. Previously, we developed a high-intensity individual CBT protocol and conducted a single-arm, uncontrolled feasibility study for chronic pain. In the current study, we explored patients' experiences in CBT sessions, including tactile attention-shift training; memory work using the peak-end rule; mental practice of action using motor imagery rescripting; and video feedback, including mirror therapy. Fourteen patients with chronic pain completed 16 CBT sessions. The tactile attention-shift training was very helpful for two patients and somewhat helpful for five, memory work was helpful for nine, mental practice was very helpful for four and somewhat helpful for three, and visual feedback was very helpful for six patients. Effective methodologies for new chronic pain CBT components should be developed. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60(5), 45-54.].

Assessing Causal Pathways and Targets of Implementation Variability for EBP use (Project ACTIVE): a study protocol

BackgroundAdvancing causal implementation theory is critical for designing tailored implementation strategies that target specific mechanisms associated with evidence-based practice (EBP) use. This study will test the generalizability of a conceptual model that integrates organizational constructs and behavioral theory to predict clinician use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques in community mental health centers. CBT is a leading psychosocial EBP for psychiatric disorders that remains underused despite substantial efforts to increase its implementation.MethodsWe will leverage ongoing CBT implementation efforts in two large public health systems (Philadelphia and Texas) to recruit 300 mental health clinicians and 600 of their clients across 40 organizations. Our primary implementation outcomes of interest are clinician intentions to use CBT and direct observation of clinician use of CBT. As CBT comprises discrete components that vary in complexity and acceptability, we will measure clinician use of six discrete components of CBT. After finishing their CBT training, participating clinicians will complete measures of organizational and behavior change constructs delineated in the model. Clinicians also will be observed twice via audio recording delivering CBT with a client. Within 48 h of each observation, theorized moderators of the intention-behavior gap will be collected via survey. A subset of clinicians who report high intentions to use CBT but demonstrate low use will be purposively recruited to complete semi-structured interviews assessing reasons for the intention-behavior gap. Multilevel path analysis will test the extent to which intentions and determinants of intention predict the use of each discrete CBT component. We also will test the extent to which theorized determinants of intention that include psychological, organizational, and contextual factors explain variation in intention and moderate the association between intentions and CBT use.DiscussionProject ACTIVE will advance implementation theory, currently in its infancy, by testing the generalizability of a promising causal model of implementation. These results will inform the development of implementation strategies targeting modifiable factors that explain substantial variance in intention and implementation that can be applied broadly across EBPs.

Supported online cognitive behavioural therapy for bulimia nervosa: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundDespite the availability of effective treatments for bulimia nervosa (BN), a number of barriers to accessibility exist. Examples include access to trained clinicians, the expense of treatment, geographical limitations, and personal limitations such as stigma regarding help seeking. Self-help interventions, delivered via a digital platform, have the potential to overcome treatment gaps by providing patients with standardised, evidence-based treatments that are easily accessible, cost-effective, and require minimal clinician support. Equally, it is important to examine the shortcomings of digital interventions when compared to traditional to face-to-face delivery (e.g., high dropout rates) in order to maximise the therapeutic effectiveness of online, self-help interventions.MethodsA three-arm, multisite randomised controlled trial will be conducted in Australia examining the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a newly developed online self-help intervention, Binge Eating eTherapy (BEeT), in a sample of patients with full or sub-threshold BN. The BEeT program consists of 10, multimedia sessions delivering the core components of cognitive behaviour therapy. Eligible participants will be randomised to one of three groups: independent completion of BEeT as a purely self-help program, completion of BEeT alongside clinician support (in the form of weekly telemedicine sessions), or waitlist control. Assessments will take place at baseline, weekly, post-intervention, and three-month follow up. The primary outcome is frequency of objective binge episodes. Secondary outcomes include frequency of other core eating disorder behavioural symptoms and beliefs, psychological distress, and quality of life. Statistical analyses will examine treatment effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability and cost effectiveness.DiscussionThere is limited capacity within the mental health workforce in Australia to meet the demand of people seeking treatment for eating disorders. This imbalance has only worsened following outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is required into innovative digital modes of treatment delivery with the capacity to service mental health needs in an accessible and affordable manner. Self-help programs may also appeal to individuals who are more reluctant to engage in traditional face-to-face treatment formats. This study will provide rigorous evidence on how to diversify treatment options for individuals with BN, ensuring more people with the illness can access evidence-based treatment.The study has been registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR Registration Number: ACTRN12619000123145p). Registered 22 January 2019, https://www.australianclinicaltrials.gov.au/anzctr/trial/ACTRN12619000123145.

Relative Effectiveness of CBT-Components and Sequencing in Indicated Depression Prevention for Adolescents: A Cluster-Randomized Microtrial

ABSTRACT Objective Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was dismantled into four modules of three sessions each: cognitive restructuring (Think), behavioral activation (Act), problem solving (Solve) and relaxation (Relax). We investigated the modules’ relative effectiveness in indicated depression prevention for adolescents and examined variations in sequencing of these modules. Method We performed a pragmatic cluster-randomized microtrial with four parallel conditions: (1) Think-Act-Relax-Solve (n = 14 clusters, n = 81 participants); (2) Act-Think-Relax-Solve (n = 13, n = 69); (3) Solve-Act-Think-Relax (n = 13, n = 77); and (4) Relax-Solve-Act-Think (n = 12, n = 55). The sample consisted of 282 Dutch adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms (Mage = 13.8; 55.7% girls, 92.9% Dutch). In total 52 treatment groups were randomized as a cluster. Assessments were conducted at baseline, after each module and at 6-month follow-up with depressive symptoms as primary outcome. Results None of the modules (Think, Act, Solve, Relax) was associated with a significant decrease in depressive symptoms after three sessions and no significant differences in effectiveness were found between the modules. All sequences of modules were associated with a significant decrease in depressive symptoms at post-intervention, except the sequence Relax-Solve-Act-Think. At 6-month follow-up, all sequences showed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms. No significant differences in effectiveness were found between the sequences at post-intervention and 6-month follow-up. Conclusions Regardless of the CBT technique provided, one module of three sessions may not be sufficient to reduce depressive symptoms. The sequence in which the CBT components cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, problem solving and relaxation are offered, does not appear to significantly influence outcomes at post- intervention or 6-month follow-up. Abbreviations CDI-2:F: Children’s Depression Inventory-2 Full-length version; CDI-2:S: Children’s Depression Inventory-2 Short version; STARr: Solve, Think, Act, Relax and repeat.

An Ecological Momentary Intervention Study of Emotional Responses to Smartphone-Prompted CBT Skills Practice and the Relationship to Clinical Outcomes

The practice of therapeutic skills outside of sessions in which they are learned is one presumed key component of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Yet, our understanding of how skills practice relates to clinical outcomes remains limited. Here, we explored patients’ emotional responses to CBT skills practice in a pilot study pairing smartphone-app-delivered skills reminders and guided practice (ecological momentary intervention [EMI]) using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Participants (n = 25) were adults recently hospitalized for a suicide attempt or severe suicidal thinking. They received brief inpatient CBT (1 to 3 sessions covering core CBT skills from the Unified Protocol), followed by 1 month of EMI and EMA after discharge. On average, participants reported modest reductions in negative affect after skills use (i.e., immediate responses; median time elapsed = 4.30 minutes). Additionally, participants tended to report less negative affect when the timepoint preceding the current assessment included EMI skills practice, rather than EMA alone (i.e., delayed responses; median time elapsed between prompts = 2.17 hours). Immediate effects were unrelated to longer-term clinical outcomes, whereas greater delayed effects were associated with lower symptom severity at follow-up. Future studies should further examine how CBT skills use in daily life may alleviate symptoms.

A mental health professional survey of cognitive-behavioral therapy for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

The objective of this survey was to obtain mental health professional perspectives on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. Respondents (N = 84) rated components of CBT for their efficacy in OUD treatment. Ratings were reported for the overall sample, by degree completed, and by clinicians versus nonclinicians. Respondents also ranked additional therapeutic strategies that might enhance the efficacy of CBT for OUD. Respondents rated treatment alliance/rapport, coping skills, and motivational interviewing as the most effective CBT components for OUD. Forms and worksheets were rated as the least effective component. The most beneficial additions to CBT for OUD would be mindfulness, peer support, and medication adherence strategies. Finally, the survey responses suggested that addressing co-morbid mental health disorders and life stressors may be important within CBT treatment for OUD.