Elements Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Research Articles

An e-mental health intervention to reduce depression symptoms in individuals with obesity: study protocol for the randomized, controlled, two-armed, confirmatory LightMood trial

BackgroundPatients with obesity often experience psychological distress, specifically depression symptoms. Due to various barriers, such as limitations of healthcare offers, digital interventions, for example medical apps, can provide a suitable approach to support affected people. In the envisaged prospective randomized controlled trial, we aim to examine the efficacy of the LightMood intervention. The LightMood intervention is a manualized and user-centered, digital intervention for patients with obesity, with a duration of 4 months, which contains elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based and skills-based exercises. We expect the LightMood intervention to be superior to treatment as usual (TAU) in terms of reducing depression symptoms.MethodsThe trial incorporates four distinct measurement time points: the baseline assessment, the post-treatment assessment, and 1- and 3-month follow-up assessments. Furthermore, we implemented in-treatment assessments for both groups. Participants will be randomized into two groups (LightMood intervention vs TAU). The aim is to include 128 participants (64 per group) in the study. Inclusion criteria are patients who are obese, at least 18 years old, with a private Internet access, and with adequate digital literacy and show depression symptoms (PHQ ≥ 10). Exclusion criteria are weekly outpatient individual psychotherapy, obesity surgery within the last year or planned within the next 7 months, no private Internet access, and the prescription of a new psychotropic drug within the last 2 weeks. The primary outcome is the post-assessment reduction in depression symptoms. Secondary outcomes will include the improvement in self-efficacy, quality of life, mindfulness, reduction in eating disorder symptoms, and body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, we expect a positive development of depression symptoms throughout the different time points (T1, T2, and T3) in patients with obesity.DiscussionLightMood is an evidence-based, efficient, low-threshold online intervention that aims to reduce depression symptoms in people with obesity. Online interventions could offer a promising alternative to conventional face-to-face therapy. The primary objective of the current study is to add essential insight into the feasibility, efficacy, effectiveness, and acceptance of e-mental health interventions for people with obesity and depression symptoms.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trial Register (DRKS), DRKS00029219. Registered on May 19, 2023

A multidimensional strategy to managing dysfunctional breathing and exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction in adolescent athletes

BackgroundExercise induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) causes inspiratory distress in the upper airway in many adolescent athletes. The nature of EILO is not fully understood, and effective management strategies are lacking. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a multidimensional individually tailored intervention, including Norwegian Psychomotor Physiotherapy (NPMP), elements of cognitive behavioural therapy and a rehabilitation plan, in reducing inspiratory distress and dysfunctional breathing in adolescent athletes with EILO.MethodsA mixed methods design, which combined qualitative and quantitative research, was used. Data, including subjective experiences of respiratory distress, findings from body examinations and objective measurements of lung function and aerobic capacity were gathered before and after a five month intervention involving 18 participants.ResultsFollowing the intervention, the participants showed a reduction in respiratory distress and anxiousness associated with their breathing difficulties. Furthermore, the participants reported to be more in control of their breathing. The body assessments revealed a more functional breathing motion and improved posture, which imply that the breathing was less thoracic and more diaphragmatic in rest and exercise in all participants after the intervention.ConclusionsOur results suggest that a multidimensional individually tailored intervention, including NPMP based physiotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy elements, and a rehabilitation plan may reduce inspiratory distress and dysfunctional breathing in athletes with EILO.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results system NCT06033755, date of registration: September12, 2023. Retrospectively registered.

Can stepped collaborative care interventions improve post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms for racial and ethnic minority injury survivors?

ObjectivesNo large-scale randomized clinical trial investigations have evaluated the potential differential effectiveness of early interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among injured patients from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds. The...

‘These symptoms are 100 per cent symptoms of AIDS’: Trauma and health anxiety in later life – A case study

This case study presents the delivery of brief cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for health anxiety, in the context of older age. Elements of standard CBT for health anxiety and psychoeducation techniques were employed. A collaborative case formulation adapted for older clients, comprising two models were developed and used as a roadmap for intervention. Psychometric assessment was conducted across six-time points alongside a narrative assessment of the client’s mental health needs. A detailed description of the case is presented, including an outline of the treatment and set of interventions employed, informed by the formulation. This case study calls for a nuanced understanding of health anxiety and highlights the importance of considering trauma and individualised approaches in clinical practice.

Training Community Therapists in Core Elements of CBT and Family Therapy for Adolescent Externalizing Problems

ABSTRACT Objective This pilot study tested pragmatic methods for training therapists in core techniques of two evidence-based interventions (EBIs) for adolescent externalizing problems: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or family therapy (FT). Training methods were designed to help therapists accurately self-monitor their use of EBIs and increase delivery of EBIs with current clients. The study compared coder training only versus coder training plus fidelity-focused consultation. Method Therapists (N = 42) from seven behavioral health clinics reported on 65 youth clients; four clinics elected to train in CBT and three in FT. Therapists were randomized to either coder training only, consisting of a 25-week observational coder training course (didactic instruction and mock session coding exercises in core EBI techniques); or coder training plus fidelity-focused consultation, consisting of direct-to-therapist fidelity measurement feedback along with fidelity-focused expert consultation. During the 25 weeks of training, therapists submitted self-report data on EBI use along with companion session audiotapes subsequently coded by observational raters. Results Compared to coder training only, coder training plus fidelity-focused consultation produced superior effects in therapist ability to judge the extensiveness of EBI techniques in online coding sessions, as well as therapist ability to self-rate use of EBI techniques with their own cases. In both conditions, therapists who trained in CBT showed a significant, though modest, increase in real-world delivery of core CBT techniques; this did not occur for FT. Conclusions Pragmatic training and consultation methods show promise as viable and effective options for enhancing EBI fidelity monitoring and, for CBT, increasing EBI delivery.

Gamifying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques on Smartphones for Bangkok’s Millennials With Depressive Symptoms: Interdisciplinary Game Development

There is serious concern over the annual increase in depressive symptoms among millennials in Bangkok, Thailand. Their daily routine revolves around the use of their smartphones for work and leisure. Although accessibility to mental health care is expanding, it cannot keep up with the demand for mental health treatment. Outside Thailand, multiple projects and studies have attempted to merge gamification mechanisms and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to create mobile health intervention apps and serious games with positive feedback. This presents an opportunity to explore the same approach in Thailand. This study investigated the development process of gamifying CBT techniques to support game mechanics in a visual narrative serious game, BlueLine. The primary target of this research is Bangkok's millennials. In the game, players play as Blue, a Bangkok millennial who struggles to live through societal norms that influence his digital life and relationships. Through in-game scenarios, players will learn and understand how to lessen the impact of depressive symptoms via gamified interactions on their smartphones. First, this paper follows each development step of solidifying BlueLine's game structure by integrating the Activating Events, Beliefs, Consequences, Disputation of Beliefs and Effective New Approaches (ABCDE) model and narrative in games. Second, the approach to select CBT and related therapeutic elements for gamification is based on suitability to the game structure. Throughout the process, CBT experts in Thailand have reviewed these scenarios. The approach forms the base of the player's interactions throughout the scenarios in BlueLine, broken down into 4 types of gamified mechanisms: narrative, verbal interactions, physical interactions, and social media interactions. With the game structure based on the ABCDE model, BlueLine scenarios implement gamified mechanisms in conjunction with the following CBT and related therapeutic elements: behavioral activation, self-monitoring, interpersonal skills, positive psychology, relaxation and mindful activities, and problem-solving. In each scenario, players guide Blue to overcome his triggered dysfunctional beliefs. During this process, players can learn and understand how to lessen the impact of depressive symptoms through gamified interactions. This paper presents the development process of gamifying CBT and related therapeutic techniques in BlueLine game scenarios. A scenario can harbor multiple techniques, including behavioral activation, self-monitoring, interpersonal skills, positive psychology, relaxation and mindful activities, and problem-solving. BlueLine's game structure does not limit the fact that the same combination of CBT elements ties each gamified mechanism.

A 28-Day, Randomized, Controlled, Single-Blind, Phase 2 Study in Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder (TRD) Patients Receiving Intranasal Esketamine Comparing Addition of Almond Therapy TM with Treatment-as-Usual (TAU)

IntroductionTreatment Resistant Depression (TRD) occurs in up to 30% of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). New treatments are clearly needed and there is a burgeoning interest in novel agents including ketamine. While ketamine in various formulations has been demonstrated to have a robust antidepressant effect there is a lack of evidence-based psychotherapies specifically designed for combination use.ObjectivesWe hypothesize that the combination of “Almond TherapyTM” with intranasal ketamine will result in a statistically significantly better outcome as demonstrated by a greater reduction in MADRS scores and/or response rates and/or remission rates in TRD patients compared with those who receive esketamine plus TAU. Secondary outcome measures include PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, Asssessment of Quality of Life - 8D (AQOL-8D), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.MethodsWe have developed a research protocol combining a unique and specifically-designed, multi-modal psychotherapy program, “Almond TherapyTM”, with intranasal esketamine in a randomized, controlled, single-blind 28-day study. The therapy utilizes an individualized, evidence-informed approach for each participant consisting of a number of modules selected using a shared decision-making process determined at the first study visit. This uniquely tailored approach ensures that the chosen modules are personally meaningful to the participant, and thus, promotes therapeutic adherence. The proprietary therapy combines elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma focused-CBT, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness, together with biofeedback. In addition to in-clinic sessions, participants also receive standardized remote therapy sessions by trained therapists.ResultsPatient recruitment and enrolment has begun. Interim results are anticipated.ConclusionsThis study is the first examination of the potential additional clinical benefit of adding a specific therapy program to existing intranasal esketamine treatment. If demonstrated to be of clinical benefit then further studies may potentially provide comparison to other therapy programs and in conjunction with other agents.Disclosure of InterestP. Chue Shareolder of: Zylorion, P. Silverstone Shareolder of: Zylorion, Employee of: Zylorion, T. Hillier Shareolder of: Zylorion, Employee of: Zylorion, S. Rizvi: None Declared, S. Phillips Shareolder of: Zylorion, Employee of: Zylorion, L.-A. Langkaas Employee of: Zylorion, K. Davidson Employee of: Zylorion, M. Brown: None Declared, J. Chue: None Declared

Sequencing effects of behavioral activation and cognitive restructuring in an Internet-based intervention for depressed adults are negligible: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

Applying elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in internet-based interventions (IBIs) is effective in treating depression. However, CBT-based IBIs differ in which kind of components are applied and the order of their application. Furthermore, it is as yet unknown whether such sequencing matters. Using an IBI for depression, we examined whether the sequence of two major CBT components, behavioral activation (BA) and cognitive restructuring (CR), affect patterns of symptom changes and dropout rates. Individuals with moderate to mild depressive symptoms (N = 2,304, 59% female) were randomly assigned to two groups: one group that received BA in Modules 2 and 3 and CR in Modules 4 and 5, and another group with the opposite sequence. The component contents were identical. We investigated group differences in dropout rates, symptom changes, and change trajectories across the intervention. The groups had similar dropout rates and showed similar changes pre- to postassessment, and from pre- to 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up assessments. Between-group differences were small enough to be considered equivalent. Three classes of change trajectories emerged in both groups, but they did not differ in shape or size and did not show diverging associations with person-level characteristics. Results suggest that the sequence of the CBT components BA and CR in IBIs for depression does, on average, not systematically impact how individuals change during and after participation, which provides flexibility in designing CBT-based interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

An analysis of differential improvement by diagnosis in group transdiagnostic cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety disorders

Introduction Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent among the mental health disorders and have a negative impact on an individual’s life. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is documented as the most effective treatment for anxiety disorders. However, challenges associated with implementing diagnosis-specific CBT have led to transdiagnostic approaches of CBT (tCBT). tCBT uses a single protocol with core elements of CBT for treatment of anxiety disorders broadly. The aim of the current study is to examine whether participants with different principal anxiety diagnoses demonstrate similar anxiety reduction. Methods The current study involved a secondary analysis of 117 participants randomly allocated to receive tCBT for anxiety disorders in a pragmatic randomised effectiveness trial. Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Clinician Severity Ratings (CSR) scales were administered at pre- and post-treatment and one-year follow-up, while the Anxiety Disorder Diagnostic Questionnaire – Weekly (ADDQ-W) was administered each session. Results Mixed-factorial analyses of variance (ANOVAs) indicated that participants with GAD, SAD and PD/A improved to post-treatment and maintained to follow-up, with no differential improvement across principal diagnoses. Mixed effect regression modelling of session by session measures indicated non-differential negative slopes across principal diagnoses of GAD, SAD and PD/A. Conclusion Overall, results indicate that group tCBT for anxiety disorders shows equal effectiveness for GAD, PD/A, and SAD in real-world conditions.

Physioprophylaxis of spinal pain syndromes – systematic review

The aim of the presented article was the review and analysis of the current literature on back pain syndrome physioprophylaxis in various age and professional groups and inathletes. Five electronic databases (PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database / PEDro, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Scopus) were searched. From 115 selected records authors presented various therapeutic and prophylactic options, such as: manual therapies, exercises to strengthen the muscles stabilizing the lumbar spine, stretching exercises, yoga, pilates, the possibility of using orthopedic equipment, learning appropriate work ergonomics, maintaining the correct body posture, elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy and various types of multidisciplinary programs combining individual elements. 8 scientific papers were qualified for the final analysis. Then, the selected articles were assigned to particular levels of physioprophylaxis (described in the resolution of the National Council of Physiotherapists of May 2019). The timely physiotherapeutic and physioprophylactic measures have been found effective and may be helpful in the recovery process and back pain reduction. Among the described preventive interventions, the research was dominated by such elements as: education related to proper work ergonomics, exercises improving the stability of the trunk by activating deep muscles and making soft tissues more flexible. Physical activity was a m recurring element in each study, we can thus conclude that it is the leading tool supporting human well-being and health. It also allows you to minimize the negative effects resulting from bad movement habits, overload, long stay in the same positions, as well as a long-term sedentary or physical work. Conclusions. On the basis of the collected material, it is not possible to indicate one form of intervention / therapy that brings the best results in back pain reduction. There is a lack of works related to the highest level of prevention, the f so-called early physioprophylaxis (with a universal level of impact, targeted at the entire population) is dominated by works focusing on the treatment and support of the treatment of back pain syndromes in various risk groups and diseases.

Patient characteristics and changes in anxiety symptoms in patients with panic disorder: Post-hoc analysis of the PARADIES cluster randomised trial.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems in primary care. The PARADIES (Patient Activation foR Anxiety DIsordErS) intervention combined elements of cognitive behavioural therapy with case management and has demonstrated efficacy. Our aim was to explore patient characteristics, which may influence the course of anxiety symptoms over a 12 months period. Multiple linear regression was used to quantify associations of baseline characteristics (demographics, clinical parameters, medication use) with changes in anxiety symptoms as measured by the Beck anxiety inventory. Treatment modalities (e.g. adherence to appointment schedules) were considered as confounders. We examined univariate associations between dependent and independent variables before considering all independent variables in a multivariate final model. To find the best model to explain BAI score changes, we performed step-wise selection of independent variables based on Akaike information criteria. We tested for interaction terms between treatment allocation (intervention vs control) and independent variables using the multivariate model. We repeated these analyses in control vs intervention groups separately. From the original trial (N = 419), 236 patients (56.3%) were included. In the multivariate model, receiving the intervention (p<0.001), higher anxiety symptom severity (p<0.001) and longer illness duration at baseline (p = 0.033) were significantly associated with changes in anxiety symptom severity to the better while depression severity at baseline (p<0.001) was significantly associated with changes in anxiety symptoms to the worse. In stratified analyses, the control group showed significant associations between depression symptom severity and illness duration with anxiety symptom changes while baseline severity of anxiety symptoms remained significantly associated with anxiety symptom changes in both groups. A brief primary-care-based exposure training combined with case management is effective in a broad range of patients with panic disorder with/without agoraphobia, including those with longer illness duration and co-existing symptoms of depression at baseline.

GPs’ and practice nurses’ views on their management of paediatric anxiety problems: an interview study

BackgroundAnxiety problems are common in both children and adolescents, and many affected children do not receive appropriate treatment. Understaffing of mental healthcare services and long waiting lists form major barriers. In the Netherlands, practice nurses have been introduced into general practice to support general practitioners (GPs) in the management of psychosocial problems. In this study we investigated the views of GPs and practice nurses on their management of paediatric anxiety problems.MethodsWe performed an exploratory study using semi-structured interviews with 13 GPs and 13 practice nurses in the greater Rotterdam area in 2021. Interviews were transcribed and coded into topics, which were categorized per research question.ResultsIn their management of paediatric anxiety problems, both GPs and practice nurses try to explore the case and the needs of affected children and their parents. GPs rarely follow up affected children themselves. They often refer the child, preferably to their practice nurse. Practice nurses regularly initiate follow-up consultations with affected children themselves. Practice nurses reported using a variety of therapeutic techniques, including elements of cognitive behavioural therapy. In more severe cases, practice nurses refer the child to external mental healthcare services. GPs reported being satisfied with their collaboration with practice nurses. Both GPs and practice nurses experience significant barriers in the management of paediatric anxiety problems. Most importantly, long waiting lists for external mental health care were reported to be a major difficulty. Improving cooperation with external mental healthcare providers was reported to be an important facilitator.ConclusionsIn their management of paediatric anxiety problems, GPs and practice nurses experience major challenges in the cooperation with external mental healthcare providers and in the long waiting lists for these services. GPs and practice nurses believe that thanks to their shared approach more children with anxiety problems can remain treated in general practice. Future research is needed to evaluate the treatment outcomes of the shared efforts of GPs and practice nurses in their management of paediatric anxiety problems.

How to deal with sleep problems during heatwaves: practical recommendations from the European Insomnia Network.

Heatwaves are occurring more frequently and are known to affect particularly night-time temperatures. We review here literature on how night-time ambient temperature changes affect body temperature and sleep quality. We then discuss how these temperature effects impact particularly vulnerable populations such as older adults, children, pregnant women, and those with psychiatric conditions. Several ways of dealing with sleep problems in the context of heatwaves are then suggested, adapted from elements of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, with more specific advice for vulnerable populations. By better dealing with sleep problems during heatwaves, general health effects of heatwaves may be more limited. However, given the sparse literature, many links addressed in this review on sleep problems affected by temperature changes should be the focus of future research.

Management of patients with chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia

Management of patients with chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia is an urgent problem of modern medicine. In real clinical practice, fibromyalgia (FM) is often undiagnosed, with chronic back pain no combined diseases are detected, so patients do not receive comprehensive therapy, as demonstrated by two clinical observations. One patient suffered from chronic lumbodynia (skeletal-muscular lumbar pain against the background of lower lumbar facet joint lesions), chronic insomnia, anxiety disorders. The second patient suffered from FM combined with osteoarthritis of the hip joints and sacroiliac joint. Comprehensive personalized treatment, which included identifying and treating comorbidities, working with patients’ misconceptions about the causes of pain, predicting and planning physical activity, conducting an educational program with elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), regular exercise therapy, and pharmacotherapy, led to significant improvement in the patients’ condition. In both observations, a persistent (for 6 months) positive effect in the form of pain reduction, improvement of the functional state, emotional status, and sleep of the patients was achieved.he study also discusses the issues of effective therapy of chronic musculoskeletal chronic lumbar pain and FM, doctors’ poor awareness of FM and criteria for its diagnosis. It is noted that regular therapeutic exercises, restriction of excessive physical and static loads form the basis of management of patients with chronic back pain. Patients with chronic back pain often have misconceptions about their disease, its prognosis, and effective therapies, so identifying and resolving these problems using CBT contributes to a positive treatment outcome.

Web-based mindfulness and skills-based distress reduction for patients with cancer: study protocol of the multicentre, randomised, controlled confirmatory intervention trial Reduct

IntroductionMany patients with cancer experience severe psychological distress, but as a result of various barriers, few of them receive psycho-oncological support. E-mental health interventions try to overcome some of these...

Computer-Assisted CBT May Help Alleviate Depression

Computer-Assisted CBT May Help Alleviate Depression

A scoping review investigating the use of exposure for the treatment and targeted prevention of anxiety and related disorders in young people.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the gold standard intervention for anxiety and related mental health disorders among young people; however, the efficacy of individual elements of CBT (e.g., exposure to feared stimuli) have received little scrutiny. This scoping review, informed by three stakeholder groups and a scientific advisory group, aimed to identify the nature and extent of the available research literature on the efficacy of exposure to feared stimuli, moderators of effectiveness in young people aged 14-24years. Three international stakeholder groups composed of clinicians (N=8), parents/carers (N=5) and youth with lived experience of anxiety (N=7) provided input into study design and results. Using the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews, a search of MEDLINE/Ovid, PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, EMBASE, ERIC, and Health Collection (informit) was conducted using terms related to anxiety, ages 14-24, and exposure. From 3508 unique abstracts, 64 papers were included for the review. While there was evidence for the efficacy of exposure as a treatment for youth anxiety disorders, fundamental gaps in knowledge of exposure in this age group were identified. Most studies examined post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and specific phobias with no randomised clinical trials uniquely evaluating exposure for the treatment of DSM-5 anxiety disorders. Exposure was typically delivered accompanied by other anxiety management techniques. A multitude of optimisation strategies have been tested, yet only one of these effects (timing relative to sleep) showed preliminary evidence of replication. A systematic and theoretically driven program of research investigating the efficacy of exposure in young people and factors that moderate its efficacy, along with methods to overcome barriers for delivery, is urgently needed.

Intervention of Fluency and Anxiety in Mindfulness Training of Shooting.

Introduction Mindfulness cognitive therapy is based on mindfulness decompression, integrating the elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and related psychological education components, a set of mindfulness group courses designed. Objective In order to explore the influence of mindfulness training on fluency and anxiety in shooting sports training. Methods There are 22 athletes in a provincial shooting team, 12 in the experimental group and 10 people in the control group, grouped according to the random principle. A single-participant experiment design with multiple baseline levels of ABA was adopted. Results The fluency state of the athletes has increased from 28.75 to 30.63; the average value before the intervention increased by 6.5%, PEM = 88%, explaining that the previous intervention has a moderate-intensity effect. The average value of athletes' sports competition anxiety state 205 before intervention was reduced to 171.25, reduced by 16.5%, PEM = 100%, showing that the intervention effect is very effective. Conclusions After the shooting athletes received the intervention of the mindfulness cognitive intervention method MBCT, the state of fluency is improved, the level of competition anxiety is reduced, and the experimental intervention basically confirmed the research hypothesis. This study confirms the moderating role of emotion regulation self-efficacy between mindfulness and the fluency of shooters and provides further impetus for the refinement and development of a push-up spiral model that explains mindfulness mechanisms.

Pilot Study of a Brief Intervention to Treating Internet Use Disorders

Abstract: Aim: Studies on brief interventions for Internet use disorders (IUD) are lacking. In this pilot study we tested the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an approach applying Motivational Interviewing and elements of cognitive behavioral therapy. Methods: Clients in four job centers and the job agency in Lübeck, Germany, were approached for a proactive screening in order to identify problematic Internet use or IUD with the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). Screening-positives were checked in a clinical interview for fulfilling three or more criteria according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Participants were randomized into intervention (personal counselling and up to three counselling sessions via telephone) and control group. A two-month follow-up was conducted. Results: Of all 3,600 clients approached, 1680 clients could be screened and 298 were screening-positive (17.7%). After a diagnostic interview 36 participants could be allocated to intervention and control group. In the two-months follow-up, decrease of problematic Internet use was higher in the intervention group, although not statistically significant (p=.216) (0.216) a small to medium effect size could be observed. Conclusion: The feasibility of this early intervention approach was evident. Larger sample sizes are needed to examine the efficacy of similar interventions. Findings of this study are promising and suggest future research. Evidence of effectiveness of such short interventions could enhance the impact and magnitude of measures and make an important contribution to preventative efforts.

Linguistic analysis of Latinx patients’ responses to a text messaging adjunct during cognitive behavioral therapy for depression

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious to treat depression, however more research is needed to understand its functions among Latinxs. This study analyzed qualitative responses that were paired with a mood rating (1–9 scale) from daily ecological momentary assessments via text-messaging of 52 low-income, Spanish-speaking patients to assess the relationship between word use and changes in mood during group CBT. Based on previous research, we chose 11 linguistic dimensions from the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count text analysis software that conceptually related to core CBT treatment elements and sociocultural factors of depression in Latinxs. Results showed that the use of words from the categories of Friends, Religion, Positive Emotions, and Leisure (proxy for behavioral activation) were significantly associated with a significant increase in mood. The use of Negative Emotions and Health words were significantly associated with a significant decrease in mood. Post-hoc analysis revealed that Certainty (proxy for cognitive inflexibility) words were related to a significant decrease in mood when Negative Emotional words were present. Findings contribute to our understanding of the role of sociocultural factors and core CBT elements in changes in mood among Latinxs. Lastly, this paper demonstrates the potential for analyzing language content during a digital health intervention to better understand user experiences.