Patient-Oriented Research to Improve Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for People of Diverse Ethnocultural Groups in Routine Practice.

There has been limited research on improving Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (ICBT) in routine online therapy clinics that serve people from diverse ethnocultural groups (PDEGs). This article describes a patient-oriented adaptation approach used to address this gap in research. A working group consisting of people with lived experience, community representatives, ICBT clinicians, managers, and researchers was formed. The working group examined archival feedback on ICBT from past patients who self-identified as being from diverse ethnocultural backgrounds (N = 278) and the results of interviews with current patients (N = 16), community representatives (N = 6), and clinicians (N = 3). The archival data and interviews revealed the majority of the patients reported being satisfied with and benefitting from ICBT. Suggestions for improvement were not related to the cognitive-behavioural model and techniques, but rather to making treatment materials more inclusive. Consequently, the ICBT adaptation focused on adding content related to cultural influences on mental health, addressing stigma, diversifying case stories, examples, and imagery, adding audiovisual introductions, and replacing English idioms with more descriptive language. Moreover, further training was offered to clinicians, and efforts were made to improve community outreach. This study demonstrates a process for using patient-oriented research to improve ICBT within routine care serving patients of diverse backgrounds.

Empathy, working alliance, treatment expectancy and credibility in video and face-to-face psychotherapeutic first contact.

OBJECTIVE: Video-based therapy has been used increasingly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, video-based initial psychotherapeutic contact can be problematic due to the limitations of computer-mediated communication. At present, little is known about the effects of video first contact on important psychotherapeutic processes. METHOD: Forty-three individuals (nvideo = 18, nface-to-face = 25) were recruited via an outpatient clinic waiting list and were randomly assigned to video or face-to-face initial psychotherapeutic sessions. Participants rated treatment expectancy before and after the session, and the therapist's empathy, working alliance, and credibility after the session and several days later. RESULTS: Empathy and working alliance ratings of patients and therapists were high and did not differ between the two communication conditions after the appointment or at follow-up. Treatment expectancy increased to a similar extent for the video and face-to-face modalities from pre to post. Willingness to continue with video-based therapy increased in participants who had video contact, but not in those with face-to-face contact. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that crucial processes related to the therapeutic relationship can be initiated via video, without prior face-to-face contact. Given the limited nonverbal communication cues in video appointments, it remains unclear as to how such processes evolve. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register identifier: DRKS00031262..

Therapists' experiences with providing guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with mild and moderate depression: a thematic analysis.

Introduction: Guided internet-delivered therapy has shown promising results for patients with mild and moderate depressive disorder, but several challenges with the format have been reported. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate therapists' experiences providing guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with mild and moderate depression. Material and methods: Twelve therapists were interviewed, and the interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results and conclusion: Three themes were created: (1) For the right person, at the right time. This theme is about therapists' experiences appointing patients to the program. It is challenging to predict which patients will benefit from it, and it is not the right option for all patients. (2) It is not like chatting on Facebook. The second theme was about the experiences with demands on clinics, therapists and patients that must be considered. The internet-delivered treatment should not be viewed as a simple treatment option, and the value of having contact with the patients during treatment was emphasized. (3) It is like a railroad, but without the switches. This theme was about the experiences with how the treatment content was conveyed to the patients, how the therapists expressed concerns with the usability of the program and the reported need for more possibilities in tailoring treatment for each patient.

Transdiagnostic internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy: Feasibility of a motivational interviewing resource.

Background: Despite growing evidence for the effectiveness of internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT), engagement and treatment outcomes are lower for some clients. Online motivational interviewing (MI) has been investigated prior to offering ICBT to facilitate engagement and outcomes, but only appears to improve engagement. Purpose: This feasibility study investigated the potential use of a brief MI resource offered during ICBT rather than before, by examining: (1) use of the resource; (2) client and treatment variables associated with use; (3) whether use of the resource was associated with improved engagement and outcomes; and (4) how those who used the resource evaluated it. Method: This study used data collected from 763 clients enrolled in an ICBT course. Symptoms related to depression, anxiety and disability were assessed at pre- and post-treatment. The website tracked treatment engagement. Clients completed an MI resource evaluation measure at post-treatment. Results: Approximately 15% of clients used the resource. Clients who were older, had higher education, scored in the clinical range on depression, and scored lower on anxiety at pre-treatment were more likely to use the resource. Those who reported using the resource had higher engagement (i.e., more lessons and messages) in ICBT, but lower improvement in disability post-treatment. Positive feedback on the MI resource outweighed negative feedback, with 94 % of clients identifying a positive aspect of the resource and 66 % of clients reporting making changes in response to the resource. Overall, the MI resource appears to be used by and perceived as beneficial by a small portion of clients who complete ICBT. The study provides insight into use of the resource and directions for future research related to MI and ICBT.

Corrigendum: Therapists' experiences with providing guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with mild and moderate depression: a thematic analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1236895.].

Short-term effect of internet-delivered mindfulness-based stress reduction on mental health, self-efficacy, and body image among women with breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background and aim: During the COVID-19 pandemic, an Internet-Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (iMBSR) program was delivered and may be better than an in-person approach. Our study evaluated the effects of iMBSR intervention on mental health, self-efficacy, and body image in women with breast cancer in Taiwan. Materials and methods: Sixty-seven women with breast cancer were allocated to a 6-week iMBSR (n = 41) program or a waitlist control group (n = 26), without heterogeneity between group characteristics. Patients from both groups were measured at baseline and postintervention using three scales: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), General self-efficacy scale, and Body Image Scale. Descriptive dataset analysis, paired t-test, and Student's t-test were used to evaluate the data. Results: Although iMBSR did not significantly improve depression and stress between groups, iMBSR could improve anxiety (Δmean: -2.0 vs. -0.4, p = 0.041) with medium effect sizes. Significant benefits were found for body image (Δmean: -3.6 vs. 0.9, p = 0.003) and self-efficacy (Δmean: 4.2 vs. 1.5, p = 0.004), with large effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.73). Conclusion: Our preliminary study supports iMBSR as a program that can improve mental health, body image, and self-efficacy in women with breast cancer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical professionals can use Internet-based clinical health education.

Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy for eating disorders - Development and feasibility evaluation.

Background: Eating disorders (ED) are severe psychiatric conditions, characterized by decreased quality of life and high mortality. However, only a minority of patients with ED seek care and very few receive treatment. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) has the potential to increase access to evidence-based treatments. Aims: The aims of the present study were to (1) develop and evaluate the usability of an Internet-delivered guided self-help treatment based on Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT-E) for patients with full or subthreshold bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge eating disorder (BED) with a user centered design process, and (2) to evaluate its feasibility and preliminary outcome in a clinical environment. Method: The study was undertaken in two stages. In Stage I, a user-centered design approach was applied with iterative phases of prototype development and evaluation. Participants were eight clinicians and 30 individuals with current or previous history of ED. In Stage II, 41 patients with full or subthreshold BN or BED were recruited to a single-group open trial to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary outcome of ICBT-E. Primary outcome variables were diagnostic status and self-rated ED symptoms. Results: The user-centered design process was instrumental in the development of the ICBT-E, by contributing to improvements of the program and to the content being adapted to the needs and preferences of end-users. The overall usability of the program was found to be good. ICBT-E targets key maintaining factors in ED by introducing healthy eating patterns and addressing over-evaluation of weight and shape. The results indicate that ICBT-E, delivered in a clinical setting, is a feasible and promising treatment for full or subthreshold BN or BED, with a high level of acceptability observed and treatment completion of 73.2 %. Participation in ICBT-E was associated with significant symptom reductions in core ED symptomology, functional impairment as well as depressive symptoms, and the results were maintained at the 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: ICBT-E was developed with end-users' preferences in mind, in accordance with the identified recommendations, and the program was perceived as usable by end-users. The study demonstrated the potential of ICBT-E, which marks a step forward in the effort to make powerful, empirically supported psychological interventions targeting ED more widely available and accessible.

Internet-delivered acceptance-based behavior therapy for trichotillomania and skin-picking disorder in a psychiatric setting: A feasibility trial.

Trichotillomania (TTM) and skin-picking disorder (SPD) are two clinically related conditions that can be successfully treated with behavior therapy (BT). There is some research indicating that BT for TTM and SPD can be efficacious also when delivered online instead of face-to-face, however, previous studies have mainly used self-recruited samples in a university context and it is unclear if the effects of online BT also extend to regular psychiatric patients. The current study set out to investigate if internet-delivered BT (I-BT) is a feasible, acceptable and preliminarily efficacious treatment for patients in a routine psychiatric setting. Twenty-five adult clinician-referred patients with TTM (n = 7) and/or SPD (n = 18) received 10 weeks of therapist-guided I-BT. The I-BT program incorporated both traditional interventions (e.g. habit reversal) as well as more recent acceptance-based techniques (e.g. embracing the urges and mindfulness). Clinician- and self-rated outcomes were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment and at the delivery of 4 additional booster modules. Results showed that the majority of the participants were satisfied with the treatment and found it credible. The average number of completed internet modules was 7.2/10; five participants ended treatment prematurely. Significant decreases in hair pulling and skin picking severity were demonstrated from pretreatment to posttreatment with within-group effect sizes ranging from d = 0.89 to 1.75. The results remained significant up to the 12-month follow-up on most outcome measures. Altogether, the results provide initial evidence suggesting that I-BT could be a feasible, acceptable and potentially effective treatment for TTM and SPD for patients in a regular psychiatric setting.

Understanding Client Difficulties in Transdiagnostic Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: A Qualitative Analysis of Homework Reflections.

Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) is helpful for many clients, but less is known about the challenges clients face during ICBT, such as difficulties with skill practice, development, or maintenance. Understanding client difficulties can help therapists support clients with skill development and prevent treatment drop-out, but has not been systematically studied. This study included a conventional content analysis of clients' responses to a homework reflection question about difficulties with lessons and skills. Data was drawn from a previously published trial of 301 clients who were randomly assigned to receive homework reflection questions during ICBT. A decreasing number of clients responded to the question about skill difficulties with each lesson. Clients who answered the question about difficulties were more engaged with ICBT (i.e., more lessons completed, logins, days enrolled in ICBT, and messages sent to therapists). Clients shared skill-specific challenges (including initial challenges and more advanced challenges), generic challenges (content or skills being cognitively draining or emotionally draining, contextual challenges, forgetfulness, limited time, and lack of familiarity with the skill), or no challenges. Thought challenging (59.6%) and graded exposure (57.5%) were associated with the greatest number of skill-specific challenges. Findings can help therapists anticipate and address common client challenges during ICBT.

An open pilot study of an internet-delivered intervention targeting self-perceived residual cognitive symptoms after major depressive disorder.

Residual cognitive symptoms are associated with reduced daily life functioning, quality of life and represent a risk factor for relapse of major depressive disorder (MDD). There are few studies targeting self-perceived residual cognitive symptoms after MDD. The current open pilot study examines clinical outcomes and feasibility of a novel internet-delivered cognitive enhancement treatment for mood disorders specifically tailored to target self-perceived residual cognitive symptoms after MDD. A total of 43 adults with self-perceived residual cognitive symptoms after MDD were included. Participants were assessed pre- and post-treatment and at 6-month follow-up. The intervention consists of 10 modules that includes psychoeducation, cognitive strategies, and attention training, coupled with weekly therapist guidance. Results showed a significant reduction from pre- to post-treatment in self-perceived residual cognitive symptoms (d = 0.98) and rumination (d = 0.63). Results remained significant at the 6-month follow-up (d = 1.06; d = 0.86). Reliable change in self-perceived residual cognitive symptoms were obtained in 60% of the participants from pre- to post-treatment. Completion rates (86%) and treatment satisfaction (97%) were high. This open pilot study supports that targeting self-perceived residual cognitive symptoms after MDD through internet-delivered cognitive enhancement therapy for mood disorders may be feasible and provide stable reductions in self-perceived residual cognitive symptoms and rumination.

Predicting Treatment Outcomes in Guided Internet-Delivered Therapy for Anxiety Disorders-The Role of Treatment Self-Efficacy.

Aim: Guided Internet-delivered therapy has shown to be an effective treatment format for anxiety disorders. However, not all patients experience improvement, and although predictors of treatment outcome have been identified, few are consistent over time and across studies. The current study aimed to examine whether treatment self-efficacy (self-efficacy regarding the mastery of obstacles during treatment) in guided Internet-delivered therapy for anxiety disorders in adults could be a predictor of lower dropout rates and greater symptom reduction. Method: The analyzed data comes from an open effectiveness study including 575 patients receiving guided Internet-delivered therapy for panic disorder or social anxiety disorder. Treatment self-efficacy was measured at pre-treatment. Symptom reduction was measured at 10 measurement points, including a 6-month follow-up. A mixed linear model was applied in the analysis. Results: The results showed that high treatment self-efficacy was a predictor of both lower dropout rates and greater symptom reduction. Significant interaction effects between time and treatment self-efficacy were found for several of the nine modules that constitutes the treatment program, suggesting that treatment self-efficacy could be a moderator of symptom reduction. Three of nine modules in the panic disorder treatment and six of nine in the social anxiety disorder treatment showed significant interaction effects. Conclusion: The results suggest that measuring treatment self-efficacy may be a valuable tool to identify patients at risk of dropping out, and that treatment self-efficacy could be a predictor and moderator of symptom reduction in guided Internet-delivered therapy. The implications of the results are discussed.

Internet-delivered Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for anxiety and depression in cancer survivors: Predictors of treatment response.

BACKGROUND: The present study investigates possible predictors of treatment response in an Internet-delivered Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (iMBCT) intervention with therapist support. This iMBCT program, a fully online delivered intervention with asynchronous therapist support, has previously been shown to be efficacious in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in women treated for breast cancer and men treated for prostate cancer. METHODS: Eighty-two breast- and prostate cancer survivors experiencing psychological distress received 8 weeks of therapist-guided iMBCT. Primary outcomes were improvement in anxiety and depression scores from baseline to post-treatment and from baseline to six-months follow-up. Clinical predictors included levels of depression and anxiety at the time of screening and at baseline, as well as time since diagnosis. Demographic predictors included age and educational level. Therapy-related predictors included working alliance, self-compassion, and five facets of mindfulness. Mixed Linear Models were employed to test the prediction effects over time. RESULTS: Higher levels of baseline depression were associated with increased treatment response in anxiety at post-treatment, and lower levels of self-compassion were associated with increased treatment response in depression at post-treatment. None of the proposed predictors significantly predicted treatment response at six-months follow-up. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that iMBCT can be provided for cancer survivors regardless of their age, educational level, and time since diagnosis (up to five years) and that therapeutic alliance is not crucial for treatment response. We did not identify characteristics predicting treatment response, although many factors were tested. Still, other characteristics may be predictors, and given the relatively small sample size and a large number of statistical tests, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Internet-delivered attentional bias modification training (iABMT) for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a complex medical condition that can significantly impact quality of life. Patients with chronic pain demonstrate attentional biases towards pain-related information. The therapeutic benefits of modifying attentional biases by implicitly training attention away from pain-related information towards neutral information have been supported in a small number of published studies. Limited research however has explored the efficacy of modifying pain-related biases via the internet. This protocol describes a randomised, double-blind, internet-delivered attentional bias modification intervention, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention on reducing pain interference. Secondary outcomes are pain intensity, state and trait anxiety, depression, pain-related fear, and sleep impairment. This study will also explore the effects of training intensity on these outcomes, along with participants' perceptions about the therapy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study is a double-blind, randomised controlled trial with four arms exploring the efficacy of online attentional bias modification training versus placebo training theorised to offer no specific therapeutic benefit. Participants with chronic musculoskeletal pain will be randomised to one of four groups: (1) 10-session attentional modification group; (2) 10-session placebo training group; (3) 18-session attentional modification group; or (4) 18-session placebo training group. In the attentional modification groups, the probe-classification version of the visual-probe task will be used to implicitly train attention away from threatening information towards neutral information. Following the intervention, participants will complete a short interview exploring their perceptions about the online training. In addition, a subgroup analysis for participants aged 16-24 and 25-60 will be undertaken. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the University of Southampton Research Ethics Committee. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, academic conferences, and in lay reports for pain charities and patient support groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02232100; Pre-results.

Can Between-Session Homework Be Delivered Digitally? A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of CBT for Adjustment Disorders.

Adjustment disorder (AjD) is one of the most common disorders in clinical practice, and its symptoms are severe enough to cause great distress and functional impairment. The AjD CBT protocol specifically developed for this disorder has shown positive results when delivered face to face and through virtual reality. Despite existing evidence supporting the benefits of therapeutic homework as part of a psychological intervention, little is known about how to increase homework engagement in psychotherapy. This study examines the feasibility (doability, initial efficacy and acceptability) of a digital support system to deliver homework via the Internet in the treatment of AjD. Participants were randomly assigned to a traditional homework condition or a digital support system condition. Both interventions resulted in statistically significant improvements, with large effect sizes, in all the outcome measures at post-treatment, with no significant differences between groups. At 12-month follow-up, these therapeutic gains were maintained, and an improvement was even observed in both conditions, with no significant differences between groups. Additionally, treatment satisfaction predicted efficacy in both groups separately and when the whole group was considered. This is the first study to explore the feasibility an initial efficacy of delivering a therapeutic homework component for AjD through the Internet.

Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for young children with obsessive-compulsive disorder: development and initial evaluation of the BIP OCD Junior programme.

BACKGROUND: Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) is a promising approach for increasing access to evidence-based treatments. AIMS: To develop and evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an ICBT programme for young children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), named BIP OCD Junior. METHOD: Eleven children aged 7-11 years were enrolled in a 12-week open trial of parent- and therapist-guided ICBT for OCD. The primary outcome measure was the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in OCD symptoms post-treatment, with a large within-group effect size on the CY-BOCS (Cohen's d = 1.86, 95% CI 0.83 to 2.86). Results were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Both children and parents rated the treatment as credible and were highly satisfied with the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: BIP OCD Junior is a feasible and credible treatment option for young children with OCD. Randomised controlled trials are needed to further establish its efficacy and cost-effectiveness relative to gold standard face-to-face CBT. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None.

Internet-delivered applied relaxation for vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women: lessons from a failed trial.

Internet-delivered therapies have a short history and promising results have been shown for several health problems, particularly for psychiatric conditions. This study was a first attempt to evaluate whether Internet-delivered applied relaxation for hot flushes in postmenopausal women may be useful. Due to a high drop-out rate the study was prematurely terminated after inclusion of approximately two thirds of calculated women. The Internet-delivered applied relaxation must probably be modified for such populations and settings before it can be used further. This article will discuss the benefits and pitfalls to learn in order to meet the challenges of future studies. Clinical trial registration number: NCT01245907.

A randomized controlled trial of the computerized CBT programme, MoodGYM, for public mental health service users waiting for interventions.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of the computerized CBT (cCBT) programme, MoodGYM, for the reduction in symptoms of general psychological distress (the primary outcome), depression, anxiety, stress, and impaired daily functioning. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial, with a waiting list control condition, in a routine clinical setting. METHODS: Participants were 149 public mental health service users (aged 18-61 [M = 35.3 years; SD = 10.3]) waiting for interventions. Self-report outcome measures were administered online at baseline and post-intervention (i.e., after 32 days). RESULTS: After high dropout rates, a post-intervention completers analysis examined 28 MoodGYM participants and 38 waiting list control participants. MoodGYM was significantly more effective than the waiting list control for the reduction of symptoms of general psychological distress (F[1, 64] = 4.45; p < .05) and stress (F[1, 64] = 5.35; p < .05) but not depression, anxiety, or impaired daily functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Due to their high associated dropout rates, self-help cCBT programmes such as MoodGYM should not be provided as front-line treatments. However, as it is likely to be agreeable and beneficial to some service users, perhaps self-help cCBT should be provided as an additional treatment option.