Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program Research Articles

Efficacy of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Hong Kong University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: This study examined the efficacy of a 10-week internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program “REST Online” for Hong Kong university students with mild to moderate levels of psychological distress. Method: A total of 206 Hong Kong university students were randomized into: (1) web-based and (2) app-based iCBT, and (3) waitlist control (WLC) groups. Results: Compared with the WLC group, the participants in the two iCBT groups showed a significant reduction in psychological distress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and negative thoughts and emotions, and significant increase in positive thoughts and emotions, with medium to large effect sizes. The positive effects were sustained at the 3-month follow-up test. No significant intervention effects were found between the two iCBT groups except for anxiety symptoms. Discussion: The findings were discussed in terms of program design and service delivery, and suggestions for delivering digital mental health service in Hong Kong universities were proposed.

The effectiveness of using cognitive behavioral therapy and internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy interventions on relapse prevention and severity of symptoms among patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Purpose This study aims to evaluate and summarize the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and internet-based CBT (ICBT) interventions on relapse prevention and severity of symptoms among individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). CBT is one of the most used and suggested interventions to manage MDD, whereas ICBT is a novel effective proposed approach. Design/methodology/approach The review was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. A comprehensive and extensive search was performed to identify and evaluate the relevant studies about the effectiveness of CBT and ICBT on relapse prevention and severity of symptoms among patients with MDD. Findings A total of eight research studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. RCT studies were conducted to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of CBT and ICBT on relapse prevention and severity of symptoms among patients with MDD. It has been found that CBT is a well-supported and evidently based effective psychotherapy for managing depressive symptoms and reducing the relapse and readmission rate among patients diagnosed with MDD. The ICBT demonstrated greater improvements in depressive symptoms during major depressive episodes among patients with MDDS. The ICBT program had good acceptability and satisfaction among participants in different countries. Research limitations/implications Despite the significant findings from this systematic review, certain limitations should be acknowledged. First, it is important to note that all the studies included in this review were exclusively conducted in the English language, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings to non-English speaking populations. Second, the number of research studies incorporated in this systematic review was relatively limited, which may have resulted in a narrower scope of analysis. Finally, a few studies within the selected research had small sample sizes, which could potentially impact the precision and reliability of the overall conclusions drawn from this review. The authors recommend that nurses working in psychiatric units should use CBT interventions with patients with MDD. Practical implications This paper, a review of the literature gives an overview of CBT and ICBT interventions to reduce the severity of depressive symptoms and prevent patients’ relapse and rehospitalization and shows that CBT interventions are effective on relapse prevention among patients with MDD. In addition, there is still no standardized protocol to apply the CBT intervention in the scope of reducing the severity of depressive symptoms and preventing depression relapse among patients with major depressive disorder. Further research is needed to confirm the findings of this review. Future research is also needed to find out the most effective form and contents of CBT and ICBT interventions for MDD. Social implications CBT is a psychological intervention that has been recommended by the literature for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). It is a widely recognized and accepted approach that combines cognitive and behavioral techniques to assist individuals overcome their depressive symptoms and improve their overall mental well-being. This would speculate that effectiveness associated with several aspects and combinations of different approaches in CBT interventions and the impact of different delivery models are essential for clinical practice and appropriate selection of the interventional combinations. Originality/value This systematic review focuses on the various studies that explore the effectiveness of face-to-face CBT and ICBT in reducing depressive symptoms among patients with major depressive disorder. These studies were conducted in different countries such as Iran, Australia, Pennsylvania and the USA.

The Effects of an Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program on Depression in Thai High School Students: A Quasiexperimental Study

Adolescents with depression often experience negative automatic thoughts, which contribute to the development of suicidal ideation. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy has now become a treatment to address negative automatic thoughts to prevent suicide. This quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the effects of an Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program on the depression of Thai adolescents. The participants consisted of 60 adolescent students with a deviation from their usual mood who were enrolled in public high schools in a province adjacent to Bangkok. The participants were conveniently selected, paired based on gender and grade point average, and randomly assigned into two groups. The experimental group received the program, while the control group received usual care (n = 30 each). Data collection instruments included a personal data form and the Healthrelated Self-report Scale. One-way repeated measures ANCOVA was used to compare the mean depression scores between the two groups while controlling for baseline depression scores. The results indicate that the participants’ depression scores decreased over time in both groups. However, a significant group effect suggests that being in the experimental group was associated with a greater decrease in depression scores both immediately after the intervention and at the two-week follow-up compared to the control group. These findings shed light on the potential benefits of implementing this Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program by school nurses, teachers, or primary care nurses to prevent extreme depression and suicidal ideation among adolescents. Further investigation with longer follow-up is recommended.

Feasibility of Guided Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder in Japan: Pilot Single-Arm Trial.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in treating anxiety disorders. Accessibility to CBT has been limited in Japan due to the shortage of therapists. While an open-source e-learning system can be used to create a simple internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) program, the safety and outpatient acceptance of this treatment approach have not been explored in Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate whether outpatients with anxiety disorders could accept and successfully complete the ICBT program with guidance by CBT therapists when implementing therapeutic modules and CBT tasks. Due to being in the initial phase of a novel treatment in Japan, this study was intended for verification with a small sample size. In total, 6 adults, including 4 male participants and 2 female participants, were enrolled in a single-arm trial. The intervention involved guided ICBT comprising 12 sessions, including CBT text, comprehension confirmation tests, and explanatory videos about cognitive behavioral models, accessible through a website. The therapist guided the participants in accessing the ICBT program and answering their questions using a chat tool. The primary outcome was anxiety severity assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait. Secondary outcomes included the Panic Disorder Severity Scale, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Working Alliance Inventory-Short Form (WAI-SF). Statistical analyses were performed using paired 2-tailed t tests to assess the changes in clinical symptoms. The total WAI-SF score at the final session was used to evaluate the therapeutic alliance. For statistical analyses, mean changes for total State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait, BAI, Panic Disorder Severity Scale, LSAS, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scores were analyzed using the paired 2-tailed t test. The 2-sided significance level for hypothesis testing was set at 5%, and 2-sided 95% CIs were calculated. Most participants diligently engaged with the ICBT program. No adverse events were reported. The mean total scores for the primary outcome decreased by 11.0 (SD 9.6) points (95% CI -22.2 to 0.20; Hedges g=0.95), but it was not statistically significant. The mean total scores for the secondary outcomes that assess clinical symptoms decreased, with a significant reduction observed in the BAI of 15.7 (SD 12.1) points (95% CI -28.4 to -3.0; P=.03; Hedges g=1.24). The mean total scores for PDSS and LSAS decreased significantly, by 12.0 (SD 4.24) points (95% CI -50.1 to 26.1; P=.16; Hedges g=1.79) and 32.4 (SD 11.1) points (95% CI -59.7 to -4.3; P=.04; Hedges g=1.38), respectively. Of the participants, 67% (n=4) showed treatment response, and 50% (n=3) achieved remission after the intervention. The therapeutic alliance, measured using the WAI-SF, was moderate. Guided ICBT may be feasible for the treatment of outpatients with panic disorder and social anxiety disorder in Japan. University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry UMIN0000038118; https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000043439.

Patient and Therapist Perceptions of a Publicly Funded Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) Program for Ontario Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study.

To address the anticipated rise in mental health symptoms experienced at the population level during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government provided 2 therapist-assisted internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) programs to adults free of charge at the point of service. The study aims to explore the facilitators of and barriers to implementing iCBT at the population level in Ontario, Canada, from the perspective of patients and therapists to better understand how therapist-assisted iCBT programs can be effectively implemented at the population level and inform strategies for enhancing service delivery and integration into the health care system. Using a convenience sampling methodology, semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 therapists who delivered iCBT and 20 patients who received iCBT through either of the publicly funded programs to explore their perspectives of the program. Interview data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis to generate themes. Six salient themes were identified. Facilitators included the therapist-assisted nature of the program; the ease of registration and the lack of cost; and the feasibility of completing the psychoeducational modules given the online and self-paced nature of the program. Barriers included challenges with the online remote modality for developing the therapeutic alliance; the program's generalized nature, which limited customization to individual needs; and a lack of formal integration between the iCBT program and the health care system. Although the program was generally well-received by patients and therapists due to its accessibility and feasibility, the digital format of the program presented both benefits and unique challenges. Strategies for improving the quality of service delivery include opportunities for synchronous communication between therapists and patients, options for increased customization, and the formal integration of iCBT into a broader stepped-care model that centralizes patient referrals between care providers and promotes continuity of care.

Effectiveness of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program enriched with inferential confusion for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Effectiveness of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program enriched with inferential confusion for obsessive-compulsive disorder

An Online Psychological Program for Adolescents and Young Adults With Headaches: Iterative Design and Rapid Usability Testing.

Headache disorders are common, debilitating health problems. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended but rarely easily available. With the use of the internet and communication technologies among youth and young adults, these individuals could be self-trained in CBT skills. There is an increasing number of internet-based interventions for headaches, but there has been little research into the usability of these interventions because evaluating usability across the intervention development life cycle is costly. We developed an internet-based CBT program, the Specialized Program for Headache Reduction (SPHERE). While developing it, we aimed to improve SPHERE through rapid usability testing cycles. This study aims to presents a rapid and affordable usability testing approach that can be performed throughout the intervention development life cycle. This paper also provides evidence of the usability of SPHERE. We used the "think aloud" usability testing method based on Krug's approach to test user interaction within a lab setting. This was followed by a short posttest interview. We planned to test SPHERE with 3-5 participants testing the same part of the program each cycle. Both the design and development team and the research team actively participated in the usability testing process. Observers independently identified the top 3 usability issues, rated their severity, and conducted debriefing sessions to come to consensus on major issues and generate potential solutions. The testing process allowed major usability issues to be identified and rectified rapidly before piloting SPHERE in a real-world context. A total of 2 cycles of testing were conducted. Of the usability issues encountered in cycles 1 and 2, a total of 68% (17/25) and 32% (12/38), respectively, were rated as major, discussed, and fixed. This study shows that rapid usability testing is an essential part of the design process that improves program functionality and can be easy and inexpensive to undertake.

Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy programme to reduce depressive symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis: a multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial

Depression is three to four times more prevalent in patients with neurological and inflammatory disorders than in the general population. For example, in patients with multiple sclerosis, the 12-month prevalence of major depressive disorder is around 25% and it is associated with a lower quality of life, faster disease progression, and higher morbidity and mortality. Despite its clinical relevance, there are few treatment options for depression associated with multiple sclerosis and confirmatory trials are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a multiple sclerosis-specific, internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) programme for the treatment of depressive symptoms associated with the disease. This parallel-group, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial of an iCBT programme to reduce depressive symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis was carried out at five academic centres with large outpatient care units in Germany and the USA. Patients with a neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and depressive symptoms were randomly assigned (1:1:1; automated assignment, concealed allocation, no stratification, no blocking) to receive treatment as usual plus one of two versions of the iCBT programme Amiria (stand-alone or therapist-guided) or to a control condition, in which participants received treatment as usual and were offered access to the iCBT programme after 6 months. Masking of participants to group assignment between active treatment and control was not possible, although raters were masked to group assignment. The predefined primary endpoint, which was analysed in the intention-to-treat population, was severity of depressive symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) at week 12 after randomisation. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02740361, and is complete. Between May 3, 2017, and Nov 4, 2020, we screened 485 patients for eligibility. 279 participants were enrolled, of whom 101 were allocated to receive stand-alone iCBT, 85 to receive guided iCBT, and 93 to the control condition. The dropout rate at week 12 was 18% (50 participants). Both versions of the iCBT programme significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared with the control group (BDI-II between-group mean differences: control vs stand-alone iCBT 6·32 points [95% CI 3·37-9·27], p<0·0001, effect size d=0·97 [95% CI 0·64-1·30]; control vs guided iCBT 5·80 points [2·71-8·88], p<0·0001, effect size d=0·96 [0·62-1·30]). Clinically relevant worsening of depressive symptoms was observed in three participants in the control group, one in the stand-alone iCBT group, and none in the guided iCBT group. No occurrences of suicidality were observed during the trial and there were no deaths. This trial provides evidence for the safety and efficacy of a multiple sclerosis-specific iCBT tool to reduce depressive symptoms in patients with the disease. This remote-access, scalable intervention increases the therapeutic options in this patient group and could help to overcome treatment barriers. National Multiple Sclerosis Society (USA).

Guided Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Women With Bulimia Nervosa: Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Individual face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy is known to be effective for bulimia nervosa (BN). Since foods vary considerably between regions and cultures in which patients live, cultural adaptation of the treatment program is particularly important in cognitive behavioral therapy for BN. Recently, an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) program was developed for Japanese women with BN, adapted to the Japanese food culture. However, no previous randomized controlled trial has examined the effectiveness of ICBT. This paper presents a research protocol for strategies to examine the effects of guided ICBT. This study is designed as a multicenter, prospective, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. The treatment groups will be divided into treatment as usual (TAU) alone as the control group and ICBT combined with TAU as the intervention group. The primary outcome is the total of binge eating and purging behaviors assessed before and after treatment by an independent assessor. Secondary outcomes will include measures of eating disorder severity, depression, anxiety, quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and working alliances. Treatment satisfaction and working alliances will be measured post assessment only. Other measures will be assessed at baseline, post intervention, and follow-up, and the outcomes will be analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. This study will be conducted at 7 different medical institutions in Japan from August 2022 to October 2026. Recruitment of participants began on August 19, 2022, and recruitment is scheduled to continue until July 2024. The first participants were registered on September 8, 2022. This is the first multicenter randomized controlled trial in Japan comparing the effectiveness of ICBT and TAU in patients with BN. University Hospital Medical Information Network UMIN000048732; https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000055522. DERR1-10.2196/49828.

A Comparative Study of Readability, Acceptability, and the Adaptation of an Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus.

Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy has shown effectiveness in managing chronic tinnitus. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy is currently available in only a few languages (English, Swedish, Spanish, and German). The current study aimed to adapt, evaluate, and compare the readability and acceptability of the Turkish internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy materials compared to previous versions. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy materials were adapted from the preexisting American English to the Turkish population in a 4-step process: (1) cultural adaptations, (2) acceptability adaptation of materials to the Turkish-speaking population, and (3) literacy-level adjustments. Experts (n=11) and patients (n=11) rated the intervention materials and the ePlatform for acceptability, including usability, content, presentation, and suitability (4). Literacy-level adjustments generated acceptable and readability levels of the Turkish version of the internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program. The average readability score was 76.15 ± 0.35. The Turkish internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (Mdn: 7.00) was statistically lower compared to the Swedish (Mdn: 9.00) but higher when compared to the American English and Spanish (Mdn: 5.00) versions. There were no statistical differences between the British English and Turkish versions in readability scores. Acceptability in the internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy platform was rated favorably. The Turkish internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy was found to be user-friendly and easy to understand, with navigations that are straightforward, have clear information, and are supported by audiologists. The readability score of the Turkish internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy is within recommended limits to ensure comprehensibility. We suggest that an online cognitive behavioral therapy program is adaptable for other languages for countries with a limited number of clinicians focused on cognitive behavioral therapy and tinnitus.

Preliminary examination of acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of depression and anxiety in infertile women

BackgroundDespite a large body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) for the treatment of depression and anxiety, there is no report of the efficacy of ICBT program in the Iranian population. The present study aimed to test the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of ICBT program for the treatment of depression or anxiety in infertile women. MethodThis study consisted of two phases. In the first phase, we designed “Peaceful Mind”, an eight-session therapist-guided ICBT program. In the second phase, we tested the efficacy of the program by conducting 2-arm parallel group, non-inferiority randomized control trial, between October 2020 and July 2021.60 infertile women diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders were divided randomly to ICBT treatment (n = 30) and face-to face CBT (n = 30). The participants received individual CBT sessions (60 min, over 8 weeks) and completed the questionnaires at the beginning, in mid-trial, and 8 weeks after the trial. The outcomes comprised Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI, Fertility problem inventory (FPI), Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8), and System usability scale (SUS). ResultsThe usability scores of the “Peaceful Mind” ICBT (M = 67.07, SD = 17.23, range = 1–100) and satisfaction with the treatment (M = 25.06, SD = 4.18, range = 1–32) were high. Patient adherence to the treatment in the ICBT group (86.6%) was the same as that in the CBT (73.3%). The between-group mean differences at the post-trial were −4.79 (CI 95% = −10.81 to 1.23) for depression scores and −4.15 (CI 95% = −9.52 to 1.22) for anxiety scores; both differences were within the non-inferiority margin points for the lower 95%CI. Conclusion“Peaceful mind” ICBT was found to be feasible and accessible for delivering the treatment to the patients. The study confirmed that both ICBT face-to face CBT were equally effective in reducing depression and anxiety of the patients.

Days between sessions predict attrition in text-based internet intervention of Binge Eating Disorder

BackgroundThe number of days between treatment sessions is often overlooked as a predictor of attrition in psychotherapy. In text-based Internet interventions, days between sessions may be a simple yet powerful predictor of attrition. ObjectiveWe hypothesized that a larger number of days between sessions increased the likelihood of attrition among participants with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) in a 12-session Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program. Participants could work on the sessions whenever convenient for them and received written support from a psychologist. Material and methodsWe compared 201 adult participants with mild to moderate BED (85 non-completers and 116 completers) on the number of days between sessions to predict attrition rates. ResultsMixed model binomial logistic regression showed that non-completers spent significantly more days between sessions across the first four treatment sessions (1–4) when controlling for age, gender, and intake measures of BMI, BED, overall health status (EQ VAS), and depression symptoms (MDI) (OR = 1.042, p < .001). Age (OR = 0.976, p < .001) and EQ VAS (OR = 0.984, p < .001) were also significant. The risk of attrition increased by 4.2 % for each additional day participants spent completing a session.A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that classification accuracy increased across sessions from 61.1 % in session 1 and 65.7 % in session 2 to 68.8 % in session 3 and 73.2 % in session 4. The optimal cut-off point in session 4 was 17.5 days, which detected 60.4 % of non-completers (sensitivity) and 78.4 % of completers (specificity).An exploratory repeated measures of ANOVA of days between sessions showed a significant within-subjects effect, where both non-completers and completers spent more days between sessions as they progressed from sessions 1 through 4 (F = 20.54, df = 3, p < .001). There was no interaction effect, suggesting that the increase in slope did not differ between non-completers and completers. ConclusionsParticipants spending more days between sessions are at increased risk of dropping out of treatment. This may have important implications for identifying measures to reduce attrition, e.g., intensifying interventions through automated reminders or therapist messages. Our findings may have important transdiagnostic implications for text-based Internet interventions. Further studies should investigate the predictive value of days between sessions in other diagnoses.

A therapist-guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program for Hong Kong university students with psychological distress: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundUniversity students are at high risk of various mental health problems due to high levels of psychological distress. However, university counseling services are often inadequate to meet their mental health needs due to shortage of mental health professionals, especially in Hong Kong. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) has shown similar effects as those of face-to-face CBT in addressing these mental health concerns, but few iCBT programs have been developed for Hong Kong university students. ObjectiveThis study protocol aims to develop and evaluate a culturally and linguistically appropriate iCBT program called “REST Online” to reduce the psychological distress and improve the mental health of Chinese university students in Hong Kong in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). MethodThe contents and functionality of the “REST Online” program which includes both web- and app-based versions, are described. A blended mode of service delivery is adopted, with 8 online modules and 2 counseling sessions. Therapist support will be provided by a CBT therapist. A total of 338 Chinese university students with mild to moderate levels of psychological distress will be openly recruited and randomized to three groups: the (1) web-based and (2) app-based “REST Online” groups, and (3) waitlist control group. The program effectiveness is evaluated in psychological distress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and positive and negative emotions and positive and negative thoughts at pre-, post- and 3-month follow-up tests. Linear mixed effect models will be conducted for data analysis. DiscussionThe “REST Online” program is among the first of its kind to address the mental health needs of Hong Kong university students by an internet intervention. Theoretically, this study will provide some empirical evidence for the effectiveness of this iCBT program in the Hong Kong context for Chinese clients. Practically, if proven effective, this program can be provided to local university counselors as an option for service delivery. Strengths and limitations are also discussed.

Development of a culturally adaptable internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for Japanese women with bulimia nervosa.

BackgroundThe process of cultural adaptation of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) programs for bulimia nervosa (BN) have rarely been reported despite the potential influence of cultural adaptation of psychosocial interventions on therapeutic response.AimThis study aimed to illustrate development process of an ICBT program for Japanese women with bulimia nervosa (BN).MethodsA mixed methods approach was used to assess cultural adaptation of the prototype of an original ICBT program by using the Cultural Relevance Questionnaire (CRQ). Five women with BN and seven clinicians were interviewed using the CRQ.ResultsQuantitative analyses were conducted to assess cultural adaptation of the prototype of the program and participants rated cultural adaptation as high. A qualitative analysis of the mixed method supported the culturally sensitive changes implemented.ConclusionsThe results of this study show that a series of processes can make ICBT programs more culturally adapted.

Effects of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease and depression on quality of life. A sub-analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Swedish Research Council (2015-02600), ALF grants Region Östergötland (LIO-600321 and LIO-687531) Background In patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), depression can cause poorer Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). However, less is known about whether changes in depression over time are associated with changes in HRQoL. We have recently shown that a 9-week internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program had a significant positive treatment effect on depression in CVD patients and that this effect was maintained at 12-month follow-up. If long-term improvements in depression corresponded to improvements in HRQoL was however not investigated. Purpose To explore if changes in depression after 9 weeks of iCBT are associated with changes in HRQoL at 12 months follow-up. Methods This study is a sub-analysis of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of a nine-week iCBT program for depression in CVD patients. Data from patients who had performed iCBT were analyzed (n=72). Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to measure depression. The 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF12) including the Mental Component Score (MCS) and the Physical Component Score (PCS), and the EQ Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) were used to measure HRQoL. Data was collected at baseline, 9 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. Linear mixed model was used to explore long-term treatment effects on HRQoL. Pearson correlation was used to explore the association between changes in depression and HRQoL at 12-month follow-up. Results There was a significant improved treatment effect of iCBT on HRQoL after 12-months (MCS p&amp;lt;.001, PCS p&amp;lt;.032, and EQ-VAS p&amp;lt;.001). Decreased depression was correlated with improved HRQoL after 12-months. The correlation scores between changes in depression and HRQoL were: MCS p&amp;lt;.001, r=-0.62; PCS p&amp;lt;.001, r=-.34; and EQ-VAS r=-.57, p&amp;lt;.001respectively. Conclusion Long term improvement in depression was associated with improvement in HRQoL (Figure 1). Interventions that improve depression in CVD patients are also likely to have sustained positive effect on HRQoL.

Internet-based CBT for adolescents with low self-esteem: a pilot randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Low self-esteem is a common problem among adolescents and is related to psychiatric problems such as depression and anxiety. However, effective and available interventions primarily targeting low self-esteem are scarce, in particular for youths. To address this gap, the aim of this pilot study was to evaluate a novel internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) program for low self-esteem in adolescents using a randomized controlled design. Fifty-two participants (15-19 years) were recruited and randomly allocated to seven weeks of therapist-supported ICBT (n=26) or to a waitlist control condition (n=26). The primary outcome was the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Secondary outcomes measured domain-specific aspects of self-esteem, self-compassion, quality of life, depression and anxiety. The treatment group showed significantly higher levels of self-rated self-esteem compared to the control group at post-treatment, with a large between-group effect-size (RSES, d = 1.18). Further, the treatment had significant positive impact on secondary measures of self-esteem, self-compassion, quality of life, depression and anxiety. The results of this pilot-RCT suggest that ICBT can be effective for treating low self-esteem in adolescents, decrease depression and anxiety levels, and increasing quality of life. Replication of the results in larger samples is needed.

The experience of participating in an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program among patients with cardiovascular disease and depression: a qualitative interview study

BackgroundDepression in conjunction with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with worsening in CVD, higher mortality, and poorer quality of life. Despite the poor outcomes there is a treatment gap of depression in CVD patients. Recently we found that an Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) tailored for CVD patients led to reduced symptoms of depression. However, we still have little knowledge about CVD patients’ experiences of working with iCBT. The aim of this study was therefore to explore CVD patients’ experiences of engaging in a tailored iCBT program.MethodsA qualitative interview study using inductive thematic analysis. Data was obtained from 20 patients with CVD and depressive symptoms who had participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the impact of a nine-week iCBT program on depression.ResultsThree main themes emerged: (1) Taking control of the disease, (2) Not just a walk in the park, and (3) Feeling a personal engagement with the iCBT program. The first theme included comments that the tailored program gave the patients a feeling of being active in the treatment process and helped them achieve changes in thoughts and behaviors necessary to take control of their CVD. The second theme showed that patients also experienced the program as demanding and emotionally challenging. However, it was viewed as helpful to challenge negative thinking about living with CVD and to change depressive thoughts. In the third theme patients reported that the structure inherent in the program, in the form of organizing their own health and the scheduled feedback from the therapist created a feeling of being seen as an individual. The feeling of being acknowledged as a person also made it easier to continuously work with the changes necessary to improve their health.ConclusionsEngaging in an iCBT program tailored for patients with CVD and depression was by the patients perceived as helpful in the treatment of depression. They experienced positive changes in emotions, thoughts, and behaviors which a result of learning to take control of their CVD, being confirmed and getting support. The patients considered working with the iCBT program as demanding and emotionally challenging, but necessary to achieve changes in emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Investigating the potential of a novel internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention for Dari and Farsi speaking refugee youth: A feasibility study

ObjectiveOver half of the world's forcibly displaced persons are under the age of 25, with many suffering from symptoms of psychological disorders. Many refugees from Afghanistan or Iran speak either Dari or Farsi, which are mutually intelligible dialects of the Persian language. Previous research on adult refugees and immigrants have shown that internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) can be a valuable complement to other forms of treatment. However, there is a lack of knowledge if ICBT is a feasible and acceptable treatment for adolescents and young adults with a refugee background. MethodFifteen Dari/Farsi-speaking adolescents and young adults between 15 and 26 years of age participated in a feasibility study of a novel individually tailored guided ICBT intervention targeting symptoms of common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) as the primary outcome measure. Four of the treatment participants and three additional non-treatment participants consented to be interviewed regarding the programme's acceptability. The interviews were analysed using Thematic Analysis. ResultsThe intervention suffered from low adherence, with only 3 participants completing the post-treatment assessment and with participants completing 0.9 modules on average, which meant that the intended quantitative analysis of the pre to post change was not possible. The thematic analysis resulted in two overarching categories, barriers and facilitators, that each contained four themes and related subthemes. Overall, the intervention was deemed culturally relevant and easy to understand. The most salient barriers to participation across interviews concerned interference of symptoms such as concentration difficulties, low energy, and a lack of human contact and support. ConclusionThe current version of the ICBT program demonstrated low feasibility and acceptability in the target population, which mainly seemed to be related to the delivery format. Future studies should investigate if a blended treatment format with regular phone/video calls with a therapist can increase adherence to the intervention.

Impact of an automated Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program on suicide thinking and risk among United States rural adults

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy for mental disorders, including depression. Internet-based CBT (iCBT) programs increasingly are showing similar impact to clinician-delivered CBT. We assessed the impact of Thrive, a fully-automated iCBT depression treatment program on suicidal thinking. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (INT) group (n = 218) or a waitlist control group (WLC, n = 230). Intent-to-treat analyses tested for group differences at 8-weeks in suicidal thinking (CHRT-SR3 subscale, primary outcome), and secondary outcomes including depression symptoms (PHQ-9), anxiety symptoms (GADS-7), work and social adjustment (WSAS), and resilience (CD-RISC-10). Using self-reports, participants were evaluated at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks for each outcome. Thrive program adherence (n = 218) was assessed by number of lessons completed. Although not statistically significant, the INT group was 38.7% less likely than the control group to present with suicidal thinking at 8 weeks (odds ratio 0.61, p = 0.10). Comparison of 8-week depression symptom slopes showed statistically significant effects favoring the INT group (WLC = − 3.04 vs Thrive = − 4.32, p = 0.007) (d = 0.08); no other significant group differences were observed. Lessons completed were significantly related to lower PHQ-9 (p = 0.026) and GAD-7 scores (p < 0.01). Study results are consistent with a previous study showing nonsignificant effect of an automated iCBT program for reducing suicidal thinking, but a significant positive impact on depression symptoms among rural US adults. Future studies should test whether strategies for boosting lesson completion are successful in enhancing the efficacy of Thrive to reduce suicide risk.Trial Registration: National Institutes of Health Trial ID: NCT03595254.

An Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Anxiety and Depression (Tranquility): Adaptation Co-design and Fidelity Evaluation Study.

BackgroundInternet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) is a necessary step toward increasing the accessibility of mental health services. Yet, few iCBT programs have been evaluated for their fidelity to the therapeutic principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or usability standards. In addition, many existing iCBT programs do not include treatments targeting both anxiety and depression, which are commonly co-occurring conditions.ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the usability of Tranquility—a novel iCBT program for anxiety—and its fidelity to CBT principles. This study also aims to engage in a co-design process to adapt Tranquility to include treatment elements for depression.MethodsCBT experts (n=6) and mental health–informed peers (n=6) reviewed the iCBT program Tranquility. CBT experts assessed Tranquility’s fidelity to CBT principles and were asked to identify necessary interventions for depression by using 2 simulated client case examples. Mental health–informed peers engaged in 2 co-design focus groups to discuss adaptations to the existing anxiety program and the integration of interventions for depression. Both groups completed web-based surveys assessing the usability of Tranquility and the likelihood that they would recommend the program.ResultsThe CBT experts’ mean rating of Tranquility’s fidelity to CBT principles was 91%, indicating a high fidelity to CBT. Further, 5 out of 6 CBT experts and all mental health–informed peers (all participants: 11/12, 88%) rated Tranquility as satisfactory, indicating that they may recommend Tranquility to others, and they rated its usability highly (mean 76.56, SD 14.07). Mental health–informed peers provided suggestions on how to leverage engagement with Tranquility (eg, adding incentives and notification control).ConclusionsThis preliminary study demonstrated the strong fidelity of Tranquility to CBT and usability standards. The results highlight the importance of involving stakeholders in the co-design process and future opportunities to increase engagement.