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- Title
Comparing the Efficacy of Electronically Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (e-CBT) to Weekly Online Mental Health Check-Ins for Generalized Anxiety Disorder—A Randomized Controlled Trial: Comparaison de l'efficacité de la thérapie cognitivo-comportementale délivrée par voie électronique (e-TCC) aux contrôles hebdomadaires en ligne de santé mentale pour le trouble d'anxiété généralisée - un essai randomisé contrôlé
- Authors
Chermahini, Melinaz Barati; Eadie, Jazmin; Agarwal, Anika; Stephenson, Callum; Malakouti, Niloufar; Nikjoo, Niloofar; Jagayat, Jasleen; Jarabana, Vineeth; Shirazi, Amirhossein; Kumar, Anchan; Gizzarelli, Tessa; Gutierrez, Gilmar; Khan, Ferwa; Patel, Charmy; Yang, Megan; Omrani, Mohsen; Alavi, Nazanin
- Abstract
Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent anxiety disorder characterized by uncontrollable worry, trouble sleeping, muscle tension, and irritability. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the first-line treatments that has demonstrated high efficacy in reducing symptoms of anxiety. Electronically delivered CBT (e-CBT) has been a promising adaptation of in-person treatment, showing comparable efficacy with increased accessibility and scalability. Finding further scalable interventions that can offer benefits to patients requiring less intensive interventions can allow for better resource allocation. Some studies have indicated that weekly check-ins can also lead to improvements in GAD symptoms. However, there is a lack of research exploring the potential benefits of online check-ins for patients with GAD. Objective: This study aims to investigate the effects of weekly online asynchronous check-ins on patients diagnosed with GAD and compare it with a group receiving e-CBT. Methods: Participants (n e-CBT = 45; n check-in = 51) with GAD were randomized into either an e-CBT or a mental health check-in program for 12 weeks. Participants in the e-CBT program completed pre-designed modules and homework assignments through a secure online delivery platform where they received personalized feedback from a trained care provider. Participants in the mental health check-in condition had weekly asynchronous messaging communication with a care provider where they were asked structured questions with a different weekly theme to encourage conversation. Results: Both treatments demonstrated statistically significant reductions in GAD—7-item questionnaire (GAD-7) scores over time, but when comparing the groups there was no significant difference between the treatments. The number of participants who dropped out and baseline scores on all questionnaires were comparable for both groups. Conclusions: The findings support the effectiveness of e-CBT and mental health check-ins for the treatment of GAD. Plain Language Summary Title: Comparing the Effectiveness of Electronically Delivered Therapy (e-CBT) to Weekly Online Mental Health Check-ins for Generalized Anxiety Disorder—A Randomized Controlled Trial Plain Language Summary: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent psychiatric condition that leads to symptoms like uncontrollable worry, trouble sleeping, muscle tension, and irritability. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a common psychotherapy used for GAD since it has been shown to reduce symptoms. However, traditional CBT that is in person can have barriers such as being inaccessible and costly, and therefore electronically delivered CBT (e-CBT) is a viable alternative since previous studies have shown its efficacy in reducing symptoms and being similar compared to face-to-face CBT. Previous studies have also shown reductions in GAD symptomology through the use of checking in on people and their mental health. Therefore, this study aimed to compare e-CBT to a check-in condition and had a total of 45 individuals in e-CBT and 51 participants in the check-in condition. Participants in the e-CBT condition completed 12 weeks of predesigned e-CBT modules, homework and received personalized feedback from a care provider. In contrast, individuals in the check-in condition completed 12 weeks of unstructured asynchronous messaging with a care provider. Results from the study showed that both the e-CBT and check-in condition demonstrated statistically significant improvements in GAD-7 across time, but when comparing the groups there was no significant difference. The results show the efficacy of e-CBT and checking in on people's mental health to reduce GAD and future research should examine the 2 conditions combined.
- Subjects
MENTAL health services; GENERALIZED anxiety disorder; PSYCHOTHERAPY; COGNITIVE therapy; MENTAL illness; BEHAVIOR therapy
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 2024, Vol 69, Issue 9, p695
- ISSN
0706-7437
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/07067437241261933