scholarly journals A Review Article on Internet-based Psychological Interventions in Primary Care. What is the Global Experience? How Reliable are Results from RCTs? Lessons Learned from the European, US and Australian Case Studies

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melita Sogomonjan ◽  
Tanel Kerikmäe ◽  
Pille Ööpik

AbstractIn the context of the EU’s Digital Single Market (eHealth) Strategy, the deployment of digital tools for patients’ empowerment and person-centred care is of high demand and importance. Shifting from treatment to health promotion and disease prevention, a variety of internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy programmes have been proven to be effective for managing common mental health disorders in secondary care even hough the effectiveness and the clinical use of internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy programmes alone in primary care have not been approved yet. Additionally, such interventions are neither included in the international clinical guidelines for treating common mental health disorders nor regulated by Member States as a healthcare service. Despite that, the UK National Health Service and the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare endorse the use of internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy as a first treatment option. The aim of this research is to investigate the global experience of internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy programmes in controlled and real-life conditions in general practice and to evaluate the reliability of the results and concomitantly their compliance with the European Commission’s eHealth Strategy. A systematic review of quantitative studies was conducted from January 2007 to December 2017. The results indicated that unsupported internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy programmes alone are less effective than combined therapy options for treatment purposes, if no additional therapy is prescribed. Guided internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy may supplement traditional treatment methods resulting in improving the control of mental disorders, but are unable to demonstrate consistent quality or replace face-to-face therapy.

BJPsych Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles R. Jonassaint ◽  
Patrice Gibbs ◽  
Bea Herbeck Belnap ◽  
Jordan F. Karp ◽  
Kaleab Z. Abebe ◽  
...  

BackgroundComputerised cognitive-behavioural therapy (CCBT) helps improve mental health outcomes in White populations. However, no studies have examined whether CCBT is acceptable and beneficial for African Americans.AimsWe studied differences in CCBT use and self-reported change in depression and anxiety symptoms among 91 African Americans and 499 White primary care patients aged 18–75, enrolled in a randomised clinical trial of collaborative care embedded with an online treatment for depression and anxiety.MethodPatients with moderate levels of mood and/or anxiety symptoms (PHQ-9 or GAD-7≥10) were randomised to receive either care-manager-guided access to the proven-effective Beating the Blues® CCBT programme or usual care from their primary care doctor.ResultsCompared with White participants, African Americans were less likely to start the CCBT programme (P=0.01), and those who did completed fewer sessions and were less likely to complete the full programme (P=0.03). Despite lower engagement, however, African Americans who started the CCBT programme experienced a greater decrease in self-reported depressive symptoms (estimated 8-session change: −6.6 v. −5.5; P=0.06) and similar decrease in anxiety symptoms (−5.3 v. −5.6; P=0.80) compared with White participants.ConclusionsCCBT may be an efficient and scalable first-step to improving minority mental health and reducing disparities in access to evidence-based healthcare.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e050661
Author(s):  
Håvard Kallestad ◽  
Simen Saksvik ◽  
Øystein Vedaa ◽  
Knut Langsrud ◽  
Gunnar Morken ◽  
...  

IntroductionInsomnia is highly prevalent in outpatients receiving treatment for mental disorders. Cognitive–behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a recommended first-line intervention. However, access is limited and most patients with insomnia who are receiving mental healthcare services are treated using medication. This multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) examines additional benefits of a digital adaptation of CBT-I (dCBT-I), compared with an online control intervention of patient education about insomnia (PE), in individuals referred to secondary mental health clinics.Methods and analysisA parallel group, superiority RCT with a target sample of 800 participants recruited from treatment waiting lists at Norwegian psychiatric services. Individuals awaiting treatment will receive an invitation to the RCT, with potential participants undertaking online screening and consent procedures. Eligible outpatients will be randomised to dCBT-I or PE in a 1:1 ratio. Assessments will be performed at baseline, 9 weeks after completion of baseline assessments (post-intervention assessment), 33 weeks after baseline (6 months after the post-intervention assessment) and 61 weeks after baseline (12 months after the post-intervention assessment). The primary outcome is between-group difference in insomnia severity 9 weeks after baseline. Secondary outcomes include between-group differences in levels of psychopathology, and measures of health and functioning 9 weeks after baseline. Additionally, we will test between-group differences at 6-month and 12-month follow-up, and examine any negative effects of the intervention, any changes in mental health resource use, and/or in functioning and prescription of medications across the duration of the study. Other exploratory analyses are planned.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol has been approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics in Norway (Ref: 125068). Findings from the RCT will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and advocacy and stakeholder groups. Exploratory analyses, including potential mediators and moderators, will be reported separately from main outcomes.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04621643); Pre-results.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alissa Pencer ◽  
Victoria C. Patterson ◽  
Meghan A. Rossi ◽  
Lori Wozney

BACKGROUND Internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (iCBT) is a necessary step towards increasing the accessibility of mental health services. Yet, few iCBT programs have been evaluated for their fidelity to therapeutic principles of CBT or usability standards. Additionally, many existing iCBT programs do not include treatments targeting both anxiety and depression – commonly co-occurring conditions. OBJECTIVE Evaluate the usability and fidelity of Tranquility, a novel iCBT program for anxiety, to CBT principles, and engage in a co-design process to adapt Tranquility to include treatment elements for depression. METHODS CBT 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 using two simulated client case examples. Mental health informed peers engaged in two co-design focus groups to discuss adaptations to the existing anxiety program and the integration of interventions for depression. Both groups completed online surveys assessing Tranquility’s usability and the likelihood that they would recommend the program. RESULTS CBT experts’ mean rating of Tranquility’s fidelity to CBT was 91%, indicating a high fidelity to CBT. Five out of six CBT experts and all mental health informed peers (88% of participants) rated Tranquility as satisfactory, indicating that they may recommend Tranquility to others, and they rated its usability highly (M = 76.56, SD = 14.07). Mental health informed peers provided suggestions about how to leverage engagement with Tranquility (e.g., add incentives, notification control). CONCLUSIONS This preliminary study demonstrated Tranquility’s strong fidelity to CBT and usability standards. Results highlight the importance of involving stakeholders in the co-design process and future opportunities to increase engagement.


Author(s):  
Sarah Beattie ◽  
David Beattie

AbstractSelf-esteem refers to how an individual appraises themselves and is associated with good mental health. A number of studies have identified the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in the treatment of low self-esteem based on the formulation and treatment trajectory developed by Fennell (1999). However, there has been little empirical enquiry into the efficacy of the programme delivered in primary care. The current study investigated the effectiveness of a CBT programme for low self-esteem delivered within primary care. Fifty-four participants attended a 9-week ‘Boost Your Mood’ group programme. Paired sample t-tests were conducted on pre- and post-group scores on measures of depression, anxiety and self-esteem. Results indicated that there were statistically significant improvements in levels of depression, anxiety and self-esteem post-treatment. Findings are consistent with the suggestion that group CBT may be effective at increasing levels of self-esteem and reducing levels of depression and anxiety when delivered in a primary care setting.


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