Abstract
BackgroundThere is little research reporting the outcome of internet delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (iCBT) for the depressed phase of bipolar disorder as part of routine care. MethodsDemographic information, baseline scores and treatment outcomes were examined for patients of MindSpot Clinic, a national iCBT service who reported taking Lithium and their clinic records confirming the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Outcomes were completion rates, patient satisfaction and changes in measures of psychological distress, depression and anxiety measured by the Kessler-10 item (K-10), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 Item (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7 Item (GAD-7), compared to clinic benchmarks. ResultsOut of 21,745 people completed a MindSpot assessment and enrolled in a MindSpot treatment course in a 7 year period, 83 reported taking Lithium and had a confirmed a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Reductions in symptoms were large on all measures (effect sizes > 1.0 on all measures, percentage change between 32.4% and 40%), and lesson completion and satisfaction with the course were also high. ConclusionsMindSpot treatments were effective in treating anxiety and depression in people diagnosed with bipolar, and suggest that the routine provision of iCBT can help overcome the under-use of evidence based psychological treatments of people with bipolar depression.
Does concurrent medication usage affect patient response to internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety?
