scholarly journals Brief Online Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Dysfunctional Worry Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomised Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Tove Wahlund ◽  
David Mataix-Cols ◽  
Klara Olofsdotter Lauri ◽  
Elles de Schipper ◽  
Brjánn Ljótsson ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Worries about the immediate and long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic may for some individuals develop into pervasive worry that is disproportionate in its intensity or duration and significantly interferes with everyday life. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this study was to investigate if a brief self-guided, online psychological intervention can reduce the degree of dysfunctional worry related to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated symptoms. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> 670 adults from the Swedish general population reporting daily uncontrollable worry about CO­VID-19 and its possible consequences (e.g., illness, death, the economy, one’s family) were randomised (1:1 ratio) to a 3-week self-guided, online cognitive behavioural intervention targeting dysfunctional COVID-19 worry and associated symptoms, or a waiting list of equal duration. The primary outcome measure was a COVID-19 adapted version of the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale administered at baseline and weeks 1–3 (primary endpoint). Follow-up assessments were conducted 1 month after treatment completion. The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04341922) before inclusion of the first participant. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The main pre-specified intention-to-treat analysis indicated significant reductions in COVID-19-related worry for the intervention group compared to the waiting list (β = 1.14, <i>Z</i> = 9.27, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), corresponding to a medium effect size (bootstrapped <i>d</i> = 0.74 [95% CI: 0.58–0.90]). Improvements were also seen on all secondary measures, including mood, daily functioning, insomnia, and intolerance of uncertainty. Participant satisfaction was high. No serious adverse events were recorded. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> A brief digital and easily scalable self-guided psychological intervention can significantly reduce dysfunctional worry and associated behavioural symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tove Wahlund ◽  
David Mataix-Cols ◽  
Klara Lauri ◽  
Elles de Schipper ◽  
Brjánn Ljótsson ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate if a brief self-guided, online cognitive behavioural intervention can reduce the degree of dysfunctional worry related to the covid-19 pandemic.Design: Randomised waiting list controlled trial.Setting: Swedish general population. Participants: Self-referred adults reporting daily uncontrollable worry about covid-19 and its possible consequences. The trial aims to include 670 participants in total. Here we present the results of a pre-specified interim analysis on data from the first 300 randomised participants. Intervention: A brief (3-week) self-guided, online cognitive behavioural intervention targeting dysfunctional worry related to the covid-19 pandemic. Main outcome measure: A covid-19 adapted version of the self-rated Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale assessed at baseline, week 1, week 2 and week 3 (primary endpoint). Results: The main pre-specified intention-to-treat analysis indicated significant reductions in covid-19-related worry for the intervention compared to waiting list (=2.64, Z=4.02, p&lt;.001), corresponding to a medium effect size (bootstrapped d=0.69 [95% CI; 0.43 to 0.95]). Improvements were also seen on several secondary measures, including mood, daily functioning and intolerance of uncertainty. Participant satisfaction was high. No serious adverse events were recorded.Conclusions: A brief digital and easily scalable self-guided psychological intervention can significantly reduce dysfunctional worry and associated behavioural symptoms related to the covid-19 pandemic. The full trial will provide more precise estimates of the magnitude of the effects, their long-term durability, and potential adverse effects. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov registration ID: NCT04341922, registered on April 10 2020 before inclusion of the first participant.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tove Wahlund ◽  
David Mataix-Cols ◽  
Klara Lauri ◽  
Elles de Schipper ◽  
Brjánn Ljótsson ◽  
...  

Introduction: Worries about the immediate and long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic may for some individuals develop into pervasive worry that is disproportionate in its intensity or duration and significantly interferes with everyday life. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate if a brief self-guided, online psychological intervention can reduce the degree of dysfunctional worry related to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated symptoms.Methods: 670 adults from the general Swedish general population reporting daily uncontrollable worry about COVID-19 and its possible consequences (e.g. illness, death, the economy, one’s family) were randomised (1:1 ratio) to a 3-week self-guided, online cognitive behavioural intervention targeting dysfunctional COVID-19 worry and associated symptoms, or a waiting list of equal duration. The primary outcome measure was a COVID-19 adapted version of the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale assessed at baseline and weeks 1-3 (primary endpoint). Follow-up assessments were conducted one month after treatment completion. The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04341922) before inclusion of the first participant.Results: The main pre-specified intention-to-treat analysis indicated significant reductions in COVID-19-related worry for the intervention group compared to waiting list (=1.14, Z=9.27, p&lt;.001), corresponding to a medium effect size (bootstrapped d=0.74 [95% CI; 0.58 to 0.90]). Improvements were also seen on all secondary measures, including mood, daily functioning, insomnia and intolerance of uncertainty. Participant satisfaction was high. No serious adverse events were recorded.Conclusions: A brief digital and easily scalable self-guided psychological intervention can significantly reduce dysfunctional worry and associated behavioural symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic.


2008 ◽  
Vol 193 (6) ◽  
pp. 493-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Schmidt ◽  
M. Andiappan ◽  
M. Grover ◽  
S. Robinson ◽  
S. Perkins ◽  
...  

BackgroundCognitive–behavioural self-care is advocated as a first step in the treatment of bulimia nervosa.AimsTo examine the effectiveness of a CD–ROM-based cognitive–behavioural intervention in bulimia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) (bulimic type) in a routine setting.MethodNinety-seven people with bulimia nervosa or eating disorder NOS were randomised to either CD–ROM without support for 3 months followed by a flexible number of therapist sessions or to a 3-month waiting list followed by 15 sessions of therapist cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) (ISRCTN51564819). Clinical symptoms were assessed at pre-treatment 3 months and 7 months.ResultsOnly two-thirds of participants started treatment. Although there were significant group × time interactions for bingeing and vomiting, favouring the CD–ROM group at 3 months and the waiting-list group at 7 months, post hoc group comparisons at 3 and 7 months found no significant differences for bingeing or vomiting. CD–ROM-based delivery of this intervention, without support from a clinician, may not be the best way of exploiting its benefits.


2015 ◽  
pp. 34-39
Author(s):  
Bidita Bhattacharya

Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by pervasive behavioural, emotional and cognitive avoidances. There are evidences that both psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavior therapy are effective treatments of personality disorders. In the current case study a 21 year old male with a diagnosis of avoidant personality disorder was taken for psychological intervention through cognitive behavioural approach. Total 33 sessions were held over a period of four months. The client reported significant improvement in therapy. His functioning level and social skills were improved and was looking forward to address his problems in more optimistic approach.


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