scholarly journals Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Blended With Face-to-Face Sessions for Major Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/10743 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. e10743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigetsugu Nakao ◽  
Atsuo Nakagawa ◽  
Yoshiyo Oguchi ◽  
Dai Mitsuda ◽  
Noriko Kato ◽  
...  

Background Meta-analyses of several randomized controlled trials have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has comparable efficacy to antidepressant medication, but therapist availability and cost-effectiveness is a problem. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Web-based CBT blended with face-to-face sessions that reduce therapist time in patients with major depression who were unresponsive to antidepressant medications. Methods A 12-week, assessor-masked, parallel-group, waiting- list controlled, randomized trial was conducted at 3 medical institutions in Tokyo. Outpatients aged 20-65 years with a primary diagnosis of major depression who were taking ≥1 antidepressant medications at an adequate dose for ≥6 weeks and had a 17-item GRID-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) score of ≥14 were randomly assigned (1:1) to blended CBT or waiting-list groups using a computer allocation system, stratified by the study site with the minimization method, to balance age and baseline GRID-HAMD score. The CBT intervention was given in a combined format, comprising a Web-based program and 12 45-minute face-to-face sessions. Thus, across 12 weeks, a participant could receive up to 540 minutes of contact with a therapist, which is approximately two-thirds of the therapist contact time provided in the conventional CBT protocol, which typically provides 16 50-minute sessions. The primary outcome was the alleviation of depressive symptoms, as measured by a change in the total GRID-HAMD score from baseline (at randomization) to posttreatment (at 12 weeks). Moreover, in an exploratory analysis, we investigated whether the expected positive effects of the intervention were sustained during follow-up, 3 months after the posttreatment assessment. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis, and the primary outcome was analyzed using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. Results We randomized 40 participants to either blended CBT (n=20) or waiting-list (n=20) groups. All patients completed the 12-week treatment protocol and were included in the intention-to-treat analyses. Participants in the blended CBT group had significantly alleviated depressive symptoms at week 12, as shown by greater least squares mean changes in the GRID-HAMD score, than those in the waiting list group (−8.9 points vs −3.0 points; mean between-group difference=−5.95; 95% CI −9.53 to −2.37; P<.001). The follow-up effects within the blended CBT group, as measured by the GRID-HAMD score, were sustained at the 3-month follow-up (week 24) and posttreatment (week 12): posttreatment, 9.4 (SD 5.2), versus follow-up, 7.2 (SD 5.7); P=.009. Conclusions Although our findings warrant confirmation in larger and longer term studies with active controls, these suggest that a combined form of CBT is effective in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with major depression who are unresponsive to antidepressant medications. Trial Registration University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry: UMIN000009242; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000010852 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation. org/729VkpyYL)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigetsugu Nakao ◽  
Atsuo Nakagawa ◽  
Yoshiyo Oguchi ◽  
Dai Mitsuda ◽  
Noriko Kato ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Meta-analyses of a large number of randomized controlled trials have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has comparable efficacy to antidepressant medication, but therapist availability and cost-effectiveness is a problem. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based CBT blended with face-to-face sessions that reduce therapist time in patients with major depression who were unresponsive to antidepressant medications. METHODS A 12-week, assessor-masked, parallel-group, waiting-list controlled, randomized trial was conducted in three medical institutions located in Tokyo. Outpatients aged 20–65 years with a primary diagnosis of major depression (taking one or more antidepressant medications at an adequate dose for ≥ 6 weeks, 17-item GRID-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [GRID-HAMD] score ≥ 14) were randomly assigned (1:1) to blend CBT or waiting-list groups using a computer allocation system, stratified by the study site with the minimization method, to balance age and baseline GRID-HAMD score. The CBT intervention was given in a combined format, consisting of a web-based program and twelve 45-minute face-to-face sessions. Thus, across 12 weeks, a participant could receive up to 540 minutes of contact with a therapist, which was approximately two-thirds of the therapist contact time provided in the conventional CBT protocol, which typically provides sixteen 50-minute sessions. The primary outcome was the alleviation of depressive symptoms, as measured by a change in the total GRID-HAMD score from baseline (at randomization) to post-treatment (at 12 weeks). Additionally, in an exploratory analysis, we investigated whether the expected positive effects of the intervention were sustained during follow-up, 3 months after the post-treatment assessment. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis, and the primary outcome was analyzed using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. RESULTS A total of 40 participants were randomized to either blend CBT (n=20) or waiting-list (n=20) groups. All patients completed the 12-week treatment protocol, and all were included in the intention-to-treat analyses. Participants in the blend CBT group had significantly alleviated depressive symptoms at week 12, as shown by greater least squares mean changes in GRID-HAMD score, than those in the waiting-list group (−8.9 points vs. −3.0 points; mean between-group difference = −5.95; 95% CI, −9.53 to −2.37; p =0.0002). The follow-up effects within the blend CBT group, as measured by GRID-HAMD score, was sustained at 3-months follow-up (week 24) after treatment (week 12) (post-treatment: 9.4 ± 5.2 vs. follow-up: 7.2 ± 5.7, p= 0.009). CONCLUSIONS Although our findings need to be confirmed in larger and longer-term studies with active controls, the present findings suggest that a combined form of CBT is effective in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with major depression who were unresponsive to antidepressant medications. CLINICALTRIAL Japanese Clinical Trials Registry UMIN Clinical Trials Registry Identifier: UMIN000009242.


Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Violetta Krämer ◽  
Nadine Eschrig ◽  
Lena Keinhorst ◽  
Luisa Schöchlin ◽  
Lisa Stephan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Many students in Germany do not meet recommended amounts of physical activity. In order to promote physical activity in students, web-based interventions are increasingly implemented. Yet, data on effectiveness of web-based interventions in university students is low. Our study aims at investigating a web-based intervention for students. The intervention is based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), which discriminates between processes of intention formation (motivational processes) and processes of intention implementation (volitional processes). Primary outcome is change in physical activity; secondary outcomes are motivational and volitional variables as proposed by the HAPA as well as quality of life and depressive symptoms. Methods A two-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) of parallel design is conducted. Participants are recruited via the internet platform StudiCare (www.studicare.com). After the baseline assessment (t1), participants are randomized to either intervention group (immediate access to web-based intervention) or control group (access only after follow-up assessment). Four weeks later, post-assessment (t2) is performed in both groups followed by a follow-up assessment (t3) 3 months later. Assessments take place online. Main outcome analyses will follow an intention-to-treat principle by including all randomized participants into the analyses. Outcomes will be analysed using a linear mixed model, assuming data are missing at random. The mixed model will include group, time, and the interaction of group and time as fixed effects and participant and university as random effect. Discussion This study is a high-quality RCT with three assessment points and intention-to-treat analysis meeting the state-of-the-art of effectiveness studies. Recruitment covers almost 20 universities in three countries, leading to high external validity. The results of this study will be of great relevance for student health campaigns, as they reflect the effectiveness of self-help interventions for young adults with regard to behaviour change as well as motivational and volitional determinants. From a lifespan perspective, it is important to help students find their way into regular physical activity. Trial registration The German clinical trials register (DRKS) DRKS00016889. Registered on 28 February 2019


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 88-93
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Abushaala ◽  
Helen Sargent ◽  
Jennifer McLean ◽  
Deborah Grech-Marguerat ◽  
Hisham Khalil

Background/aims There is a growing backlog of patients with sino-nasal disorders waiting for a follow-up appointment. This study aimed to identify rhinology patients on the outpatient follow-up list who could be removed from the waiting list for a face to face follow-up appointment and instead either given a phone consultation by a clinical nurse specialist or discharged from the service. Methods The clinical records of patients on the waiting list for a follow-up appointment at a nasal disorders clinic were reviewed by a panel comprising a consultant rhinologist, a rhinology fellow, a specialist registrar and two nurse specialists. Results A total of 300 clinical records of patients on the follow-up list of the Rhinology clinic were identified, of which 253 were found to have a sino-nasal disorder. Of these, 137 patients (54%) were discharged from the rhinology face to face follow-up clinics, while 116 patients (46%) were given face to face review appointments. Conclusions A multi-professional rhinology review panel is an effective way of managing the waiting list of an outpatient rhinology clinic and providing nurse-led telephone consultations could decrease the strain on resources while maintaining patient safety.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 1112-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa E Boeschoten ◽  
Joost Dekker ◽  
Bernard MJ Uitdehaag ◽  
Aartjan TF Beekman ◽  
Adriaan W Hoogendoorn ◽  
...  

Background: Depression in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is common but may stay untreated. Physical limitations impede face-to-face treatment. Internet-based treatment is therefore a promising tool for treating depression in MS. Objectives: To investigate effectiveness of a guided Internet-based problem-solving treatment (IPST) for depressed MS patients. Methods: MS patients with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were randomly assigned to IPST or a wait list control. Primary outcome was the change in depressive symptoms defined by a change in sum score on the Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition (BDI-II). Assessments took place at baseline (T0), within a week after the intervention (T1), and at 4 months follow-up (T2). Analyses were based on the intention-to-treat principle. Results: A total of 171 patients were randomized to IPST ( n = 85) or a wait list control ( n = 86). T1 was completed by 152 (89%) and T2 by 131 patients (77%). The IPST group and wait list control showed large significant improvements in depressive symptoms, but no differences were found between groups at T1 ( d = 0.23; 95% confidence interval (CI) = (−4.03, 1.08); p = 0.259) and T2 ( d = 0.01; 95% CI = (−2.80, 2.98); p = 0.953). Conclusion: We found no indication that IPST for MS patients with moderate or severe depression is effective in reducing depressive symptoms compared to a waiting list. Large improvements in the wait list control were unexpected and are discussed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 360-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aino Kohtala ◽  
Raimo Lappalainen ◽  
Laura Savonen ◽  
Elina Timo ◽  
Asko Tolvanen

Background:Depressive symptoms are one of the main reasons for seeking psychological help. Shorter interventions using briefly trained therapists could offer a solution to the ever-rising need for early and easily applicable psychological treatments.Aims:The current study examines the effectiveness of a four-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based treatment for self-reported depressive symptoms administered by Masters level psychology students.Method:This paper reports the effectiveness of a brief intervention compared to a waiting list control (WLC) group. Participants were randomized into two groups: ACT (n= 28) and waiting list (n= 29). Long-term effects were examined using a 6-month follow-up.Results:The treatment group's level of depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory) decreased by an average of 47%, compared to an average decrease of 4% in the WLC group. Changes in psychological well-being in the ACT group were better throughout, and treatment outcomes were maintained after 6 months. The posttreatment “between-group” and follow-up “with-in group” effect sizes (Cohen'sd) were large to medium for depressive symptoms and psychological flexibility.Conclusions:The results support the brief ACT-based intervention for sub-clinical depressive symptoms when treatment was conducted by briefly trained psychology students. It also contributes to the growing body of evidence on brief ACT-based treatments and inexperienced therapists.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Little ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
FD Richard Hobbs ◽  
Jo Kelly ◽  
Emily R Smith ◽  
...  

BackgroundBehavioural counselling with intensive follow-up for obesity is effective, but in resource-constrained primary care settings briefer approaches are needed.ObjectivesTo estimate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an internet-based behavioural intervention with regular face-to-face or remote support in primary care, compared with brief advice.DesignIndividually randomised three-arm parallel trial with health economic evaluation and nested qualitative interviews.SettingPrimary care general practices in the UK.ParticipantsPatients with a body mass index of ≥ 30 kg/m2(or ≥ 28 kg/m2with risk factors) identified from general practice records, recruited by postal invitation.InterventionsPositive Online Weight Reduction (POWeR+) is a 24-session, web-based weight management intervention completed over 6 months. Following online registration, the website randomly allocated participants using computer-generated random numbers to (1) the control intervention (n = 279), which had previously been demonstrated to be clinically effective (brief web-based information that minimised pressure to cut down foods, instead encouraging swaps to healthier choices and increasing fruit and vegetables, plus 6-monthly nurse weighing); (2) POWeR+F (n = 269), POWeR+ supplemented by face-to-face nurse support (up to seven contacts); or (3) POWeR+R (n = 270), POWeR+ supplemented by remote nurse support (up to five e-mails or brief telephone calls).Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was a modelled estimate of average weight reduction over 12 months, assessed blind to group where possible, using multiple imputation for missing data. The secondary outcome was the number of participants maintaining a 5% weight reduction at 12 months.ResultsA total of 818 eligible individuals were randomised using computer-generated random numbers. Weight change, averaged over 12 months, was documented in 666 out of 818 participants (81%; control,n = 227; POWeR+F,n = 221; POWeR+R,n = 218). The control group maintained nearly 3 kg of weight loss per person (mean weight per person: baseline, 104.4 kg; 6 months, 101.9 kg; 12 months, 101.7 kg). Compared with the control group, the estimated additional weight reduction with POWeR+F was 1.5 kg [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6 to 2.4 kg;p = 0.001] and with POWeR+R was 1.3 kg (95% CI 0.34 to 2.2 kg;p = 0.007). By 12 months the mean weight loss was not statistically significantly different between groups, but 20.8% of control participants, 29.2% of POWeR+F participants (risk ratio 1.56, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.51;p = 0.070) and 32.4% of POWeR+R participants (risk ratio 1.82, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.74;p = 0.004) maintained a clinically significant 5% weight reduction. The POWeR+R group had fewer individuals who reported doing another activity to help lose weight [control, 47.1% (64/136); POWeR+F, 37.2% (51/137); POWeR+R, 26.7% (40/150)]. The incremental cost to the health service per kilogram weight lost, compared with the control group, was £18 (95% CI –£129 to £195) for POWeR+F and –£25 (95% CI –£268 to £157) for POWeR+R. The probability of being cost-effective at a threshold of £100 per kilogram was 88% and 98% for POWeR+F and POWeR+R, respectively. POWeR+R was dominant compared with the control group. No harms were reported and participants using POWeR+ felt more enabled in managing their weight. The qualitative studies documented that POWeR+ was viewed positively by patients and that health-care professionals generally enjoyed supporting patients using POWeR+.Study limitationsMaintenance of weight loss after 1 year is unknown.Future workIdentifying strategies for longer-term engagement, impact in community settings and increasing physical activity.ConclusionClinically valuable weight loss (> 5%) is maintained in 20% of individuals using novel written materials with brief follow-up. A web-based behavioural programme and brief support results in greater mean weight loss and 10% more participants maintain valuable weight loss; it achieves greater enablement and fewer participants undertaking other weight-loss activities; and it is likely to be cost-effective.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN21244703.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full inHealth Technology Assessment; Vol. 21, No. 4. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e000173
Author(s):  
Maria Stavrou ◽  
Eva Lioutas ◽  
Joanna Lioutas ◽  
Richard J Davenport

BackgroundRemote consulting is an emerging model in managing chronic neurological conditions and has been widely implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this national survey was to investigate the initial experiences of remote consulting for neurologists and patients with established neurological conditions under follow-up during the first COVID-19 phase.MethodsIn collaboration with the Scottish Association of Neurological Sciences and the Neurological Alliance of Scotland, we conducted a web-based survey of neurologists and patients between October and November 2020.FindingsData was available for 62 neurologists and 201 patients. The consensus among neurologists was that remote consulting is a satisfactory way of delivering healthcare in selected groups of patients. For practical and technical reasons, there was preference for phone over video consultations (phone 63% vs video 33%, p=0.003). The prevailing opinion among clinicians was that considerable training interventions for remote consultation skills are required (‘yes’ 63% vs ‘no’ 37%, p=0.009) to improve clinician consultation skills and successfully embed this new model of care.Most patients perceived remote consultations as safe, effective and convenient, with 89% of patients being satisfied with their remote consultation experience. Although traditional face-to-face consultations were the favoured way of interaction for 62% of patients, a significant proportion preferred that some of their future consultations be remote.InterpretationAlthough not a replacement for face-to-face consultations, this survey illustrates that remote consulting can be an acceptable adjunct to traditional face-to-face consultations for doctors and patients. More research is required to identify overall safety and applicability.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Rozental ◽  
Roz Shafran ◽  
Tracey D Wade ◽  
Radha Kothari ◽  
Sarah J Egan ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Perfectionism can become a debilitating condition that may negatively affect functioning in multiple areas, including mental health. Prior research has indicated that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy can be beneficial, but few studies have included follow-up data. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to explore the outcomes at follow-up of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy with guided self-help, delivered as 2 separate randomized controlled trials conducted in Sweden and the United Kingdom. METHODS In total, 120 participants randomly assigned to internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy were included in both intention-to-treat and completer analyses: 78 in the Swedish trial and 62 in the UK trial. The primary outcome measure was the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, Concern over Mistakes subscale (FMPS CM). Secondary outcome measures varied between the trials and consisted of the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire (CPQ; both trials), the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9; Swedish trial), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7; Swedish trial), and the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21; UK trial). Follow-up occurred after 6 months for the UK trial and after 12 months for the Swedish trial. RESULTS Analysis of covariance revealed a significant difference between pretreatment and follow-up in both studies. Intention-to-treat within-group Cohen d effect sizes were 1.21 (Swedish trial; 95% CI 0.86-1.54) and 1.24 (UK trial; 95% CI 0.85-1.62) for the FMPS CM. Furthermore, 29 (59%; Swedish trial) and 15 (43%; UK trial) of the participants met the criteria for recovery on the FMPS CM. Improvements were also significant for the CPQ, with effect sizes of 1.32 (Swedish trial; 95% CI 0.97-1.66) and 1.49 (UK trial; 95% CI 1.09-1.88); the PHQ-9, effect size 0.60 (95% CI 0.28-0.92); the GAD-7, effect size 0.67 (95% CI 0.34-0.99); and the DASS-21, effect size 0.50 (95% CI 0.13-0.85). CONCLUSIONS The results are promising for the use of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy as a way of targeting perfectionism, but the findings need to be replicated and include a comparison condition.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Lundgren ◽  
Peter Johansson ◽  
Tiny Jaarsma ◽  
Gerhard Andersson ◽  
Anita Kärner Köhler

BACKGROUND Web-based cognitive behavioral therapy (wCBT) has been proposed as a possible treatment for patients with heart failure and depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms are common in patients with heart failure and such symptoms are known to significantly worsen their health. Although there are promising results on the effect of wCBT, there is a knowledge gap regarding how persons with chronic heart failure and depressive symptoms experience wCBT. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of participating and receiving health care through a wCBT intervention among persons with heart failure and depressive symptoms. METHODS In this qualitative, inductive, exploratory, and descriptive study, participants with experiences of a wCBT program were interviewed. The participants were included through purposeful sampling among participants previously included in a quantitative study on wCBT. Overall, 13 participants consented to take part in this study and were interviewed via telephone using an interview guide. Verbatim transcripts from the interviews were qualitatively analyzed following the recommendations discussed by Patton in Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods: Integrating Theory and Practice. After coding each interview, codes were formed into categories. RESULTS Overall, six categories were identified during the analysis process. They were as follows: “Something other than usual health care,” “Relevance and recognition,” “Flexible, understandable, and safe,” “Technical problems,” “Improvements by real-time contact,” and “Managing my life better.” One central and common pattern in the findings was that participants experienced the wCBT program as something they did themselves and many participants described the program as a form of self-care. CONCLUSIONS Persons with heart failure and depressive symptoms described wCBT as challenging. This was due to participants balancing the urge for real-time contact with perceived anonymity and not postponing the work with the program. wCBT appears to be a valuable tool for managing depressive symptoms.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F Loncharich ◽  
David F Desena ◽  
Angelique N Collamer ◽  
Jess D Edison

ABSTRACT Objective To compare patterns of rheumatology consultations and outcomes across four different platforms in the Military Health System (MHS): face-to-face, synchronous telehealth, and two asynchronous telehealth platforms. Methods We conducted a retrospective review comparing face-to-face rheumatology consults during 2019 with teleconsultations from three virtual systems in the MHS: an asynchronous email-based system from May 2006 to Feb 2018, a web-based platform from 2014 to 2018, and synchronous telehealth consults from March 2020 to March 2021. Consults were reviewed for diagnosis, and if medical evacuation was required for consults originating OCONUS or if face-to-face follow-up was required for synchronous teleconsults. Diagnoses of interest included inflammatory arthritis, noninflammatory arthritis, crystalline arthritis, myositis, lupus, vasculitis, fibromyalgia, antibody positivity without diagnosis, symptoms without specified diagnosis, and a composite of other rheumatic diseases. Results Leading diagnoses across platforms were inflammatory arthritis, noninflammatory arthritis, and a composite of other diagnoses. Consultation modality influenced the type of cases seen. Inflammatory arthritis accounted for significantly more consults in the synchronous telehealth (38.4%) and email-based (40.9%) models than in the web-based (23.7%) and face-to-face (32.0%) models. The composite of other diagnoses was the leading diagnosis for the asynchronous web-based model (32.9%), which was significantly more than the synchronous telehealth and face-to-face consults. Synchronous models saw significantly more cases of crystalline arthritis, vasculitis, and fibromyalgia. Email-based consultations resulted in medical evacuation in 25 cases and prevented evacuation in 5. Web-based consultations prompted medical evacuation in 100 cases. In the synchronous model, face-to-face follow-up was recommended in 142 (15%) cases. Conclusions Modality of consultation influences the type of cases seen. Both synchronous and asynchronous telerheumatology models were able to answer the consult question without referral for face-to-face evaluation in 79.9-85.0% of consults, suggesting teleconsultation is a viable method to increase access to high-quality rheumatology care.


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