Transdiagnostic Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy in Canada: An open trial comparing results of a specialized online clinic and nonspecialized community clinics

H D Hadjistavropoulos; M M Nugent; N M Alberts; L Staples; B F Dear; N Titov

doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.05.006

Transdiagnostic Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy in Canada: An open trial comparing results of a specialized online clinic and nonspecialized community clinics

J Anxiety Disord. 2016 Aug:42:19-29. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.05.006. Epub 2016 May 13.

Authors

H D Hadjistavropoulos¹, M M Nugent², N M Alberts³, L Staples⁴, B F Dear⁵, N Titov⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ MindSpot Clinic, Australian Hearing Hub Building, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ MindSpot Clinic, Australian Hearing Hub Building, eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 27244278
DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.05.006

Abstract

Effects of Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) for anxiety and depression are not well understood when delivered in non-specialized as compared to specialized clinic settings. This open trial (n=458 patients) examined the benefits of transdiagnostic-ICBT when delivered in Canada by therapists (registered providers or graduate students) working in either a specialized online clinic or one of eight nonspecialized community clinics. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up. Completion rates and satisfaction were high. Significant and large reductions (effect sizes 1.17-1.31) were found on symptom measures. Completion rates, satisfaction levels and outcomes did not differ whether ICBT was delivered by therapists working in a specialized online clinic or nonspecialized community clinics. Differences were also not found between registered providers and graduate students, or therapists trained in psychology or another discipline. The findings support the public health potential of ICBT.

Keywords: Cognitive behaviour therapy; Depression; Generalized anxiety; Internet-delivered; Therapist-assisted; Transdiagnostic.

Publication types

Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

Adult
Anxiety / psychology
Anxiety / therapy
Anxiety Disorders / psychology
Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
Canada
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
Depression / psychology
Depression / therapy
Depressive Disorder / psychology
Depressive Disorder / therapy*
Female
Humans
Internet*
Male
Middle Aged
Remote Consultation / methods*
Treatment Outcome

Grants and funding

293379/Canadian Institutes of Health Research /International