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- Title
Comparison of online and in-person cognitive behavioral therapy in individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder: a non-randomized controlled trial.
- Authors
Alavi, Nazanin; Moghimi, Elnaz; Stephenson, Callum; Gutierrez, Gilmar; Jagayat, Jasleen; Kumar, Anchan; Yijia Shao; Miller, Shadé; Yee, Caitlin S.; Stefatos, Anthi; Gholamzadehmir, Maedeh; Abbaspour, Zara; Shirazi, Amirhossein; Gizzarelli, Tessa; Khan, Ferwa; Patel, Charmy; Patel, Archana; Megan Yang; Omrani, Mohsen
- Abstract
Objective: The increased prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) amid the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in substantial growth in online mental health care delivery. Compared to its in-person counterpart, online cognitive behavioral therapy (e-CBT) is a time-flexible and cost-effective method of improving MDD symptoms. However, how its efficacy compares to in-person CBT is yet to be explored. Therefore, the current study compared the efficacy of a therapist-supported, electronically delivered e-CBT program to in-person therapy in individuals diagnosed with MDD. Methods: Participants (n = 108) diagnosed with MDD selected either a 12 week in-person CBT or an asynchronous therapist-supported e-CBT program. E-CBT participants (n = 55) completed weekly interactive online modules delivered through a secure cloud-based online platform (Online Psychotherapy Tool; OPTT). These modules were followed by homework in which participants received personalized feedback from a trained therapist. Participants in the in-person CBT group (n = 53) discussed sessions and homework with their therapists during onehour weekly meetings. Program efficacy was evaluated using clinically validated symptomatology and quality of life questionnaires. Results: Both treatments yielded significant improvements in depressive symptoms and quality of life from baseline to post-treatment. Participants who opted for inperson therapy presented significantly higher baseline symptomatology scores than the e-CBT group. However, both treatments demonstrated comparable significant improvements in depressive symptoms and quality of life from baseline to post-treatment. e-CBT seems to afford higher participant compliance as dropouts in the e-CBT group completed more sessions on average than those in the in-person CBT group. Conclusion: The findings support e-CBT with therapist guidance as a suitable option to treat MDD. Future studies should investigate how treatment accessibility is related to program completion rates in the e-CBT vs. in-person group.
- Subjects
COGNITIVE therapy; MENTAL health services; MENTAL depression; MEDICAL care; COVID-19 pandemic
- Publication
Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2023, p1
- ISSN
1664-0640
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1113956