Effects of cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure-response prevention on brain activation in obsessive-compulsive disorder patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Current psychotherapeutic treatments for OCD, while effective, have complex outcomes with mixed efficacy. Previous research has observed baseline brain activation patterns in OCD patients, elucidating some of the implications of this disorder. Observing the effects of evidence-based psychotherapeutics for OCD on brain activation (through MRI) may provide a more comprehensive outline of pathology. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with exposure-response prevention (ERP) on brain activation in OCD patients. Academic databases were systematically searched, and the outcomes evaluated included changes in brain activation and symptom severity between baseline and post-treatment. Patients (n = 193) had confirmed OCD diagnosis and underwent protocolized CBT with ERP programs delivered by trained therapists. Participants in the CBT with ERP programs demonstrated significant improvements in symptom severity (Cohen's d = - 1.91). In general, CBT with ERP resulted in decreased activation post-treatment in the frontal (Cohen's d = 0.40), parietal (Cohen's d = 0.79), temporal (Cohen's d = 1.02), and occipital lobe (Cohen's d = 0.76), and cerebellum (Cohen's d = - 0.78). The findings support CBT with ERP's ability to improve brain activation abnormalities in OCD patients. By identifying regions that improved activation levels, psychotherapy programs may benefit from the addition of function-specific features that could improve treatment outcomes.

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.

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.

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.

Mental health challenges, treatment experiences, and care needs of post-secondary students: a cross-sectional mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Post-secondary students frequently experience high rates of mental health challenges. However, they present meagre rates of treatment-seeking behaviours. This elevated prevalence of mental health problems, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, can lead to distress, poor academic performance, and lower job prospects following the completion of education. To address the needs of this population, it is important to understand students' perceptions of mental health and the barriers preventing or limiting their access to care. METHODS: A broad-scoping online survey was publicly distributed to post-secondary students, collecting demographic, sociocultural, economic, and educational information while assessing various components of mental health. RESULTS: In total, 448 students across post-secondary institutions in Ontario, Canada, responded to the survey. Over a third (n = 170; 38.6%) of respondents reported a formal mental health diagnosis. Depression and generalized anxiety disorder were the most commonly reported diagnoses. Most respondents felt that post-secondary students did not have good mental health (n = 253; 60.5%) and had inadequate coping strategies (n = 261; 62.4%). The most frequently reported barriers to care were financial (n = 214; 50.5%), long wait times (n = 202; 47.6%), insufficient resources (n = 165; 38.9%), time constraints (n = 148; 34.9%), stigma (n = 133; 31.4%), cultural barriers (n = 108; 25.5%), and past negative experiences with mental health care (n = 86; 20.3%). The majority of students felt their post-secondary institution needed to increase awareness (n = 231; 56.5%) and mental health resources (n = 306; 73.2%). Most viewed in-person therapy and online care with a therapist as more helpful than self-guided online care. However, there was uncertainty about the helpfulness and accessibility of different forms of treatment, including online interventions. The qualitative findings highlighted the need for personal strategies, mental health education and awareness, and institutional support and services. CONCLUSIONS: Various barriers to care, perceived lack of resources, and low knowledge of available interventions may contribute to compromised mental health in post-secondary students. The survey findings indicate that upstream approaches such as integrating mental health education for students may address the varying needs of this critical population. Therapist-involved online mental health interventions may be a promising solution to address accessibility issues.

Comparative Efficacy and Tolerability of Adjunctive Pharmacotherapies for Acute Bipolar Depression: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the comparative efficacy and tolerability of augmentation strategies for bipolar depression. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of 8 electronic databases for double-blind, randomized controlled trials of adjunctive pharmacotherapies for acute bipolar depression. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and applied the Cochrane risk of bias tool for study quality appraisal. Two reviewers independently abstracted data. We resolved all discrepancies by consensus. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcomes were response and completion of treatment. We estimated summary rate ratios (RRs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) relative to placebo controls using frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis. RESULTS: We identified 69 trials meeting eligibility criteria (8,007 participants, 42.8 years, 58.0% female). Adjunctive racemic intravenous ketamine, coenzyme Q10, pramipexole, fluoxetine, and lamotrigine were more effective than placebo. Summary RRs for response ranged between 1.51 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 2.06) for fluoxetine and 12.49 (95% CI, 3.06 to 50.93) for racemic intravenous ketamine. For completion of treatment, risperidone appeared less tolerable than placebo (RR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.94), while fluoxetine seemed more tolerable than placebo (RR = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.24). None of the investigated agents were associated with increased treatment-emergent mood switches. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The evidence for augmentation strategies in bipolar depression is limited to a handful of agents. Fluoxetine appeared to have the most consistent evidence base for both efficacy and tolerability. There remains a need for additional research exploring novel treatment strategies for bipolar depression, particularly head-to-head studies.

Examining the role of AI technology in online mental healthcare: opportunities, challenges, and implications, a mixed-methods review.

Introduction: Online mental healthcare has gained significant attention due to its effectiveness, accessibility, and scalability in the management of mental health symptoms. Despite these advantages over traditional in-person formats, including higher availability and accessibility, issues with low treatment adherence and high dropout rates persist. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies could help address these issues, through powerful predictive models, language analysis, and intelligent dialogue with users, however the study of these applications remains underexplored. The following mixed methods review aimed to supplement this gap by synthesizing the available evidence on the applications of AI in online mental healthcare. Method: We searched the following databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Cochrane. This review included peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials, observational studies, non-randomized experimental studies, and case studies that were selected using the PRISMA guidelines. Data regarding pre and post-intervention outcomes and AI applications were extracted and analyzed. A mixed-methods approach encompassing meta-analysis and network meta-analysis was used to analyze pre and post-intervention outcomes, including main effects, depression, anxiety, and study dropouts. We applied the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) to assess the quality of the evidence. Results: Twenty-nine studies were included revealing a variety of AI applications including triage, psychotherapy delivery, treatment monitoring, therapy engagement support, identification of effective therapy features, and prediction of treatment response, dropout, and adherence. AI-delivered self-guided interventions demonstrated medium to large effects on managing mental health symptoms, with dropout rates comparable to non-AI interventions. The quality of the data was low to very low. Discussion: The review supported the use of AI in enhancing treatment response, adherence, and improvements in online mental healthcare. Nevertheless, given the low quality of the available evidence, this study highlighted the need for additional robust and high-powered studies in this emerging field. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=443575, identifier CRD42023443575.

Experiences using an online therapist-guided psychotherapy platform (OPTT) in correctional workers with depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Introduction: Correctional workers (CWs) are frequently exposed to potentially traumatic events in the workplace, leading to an increased prevalence of mental health concerns. Online psychotherapy can address many of the barriers CWs face when seeking adequate mental health care. Despite their benefits, CWs' experience using digital mental health interventions is relatively unknown. This information could be valuable in developing enhanced care delivery to improve recruitment, retention, satisfaction, and treatment outcomes. Methods: This study investigated the experiences of a sample of CWs enrolled in a clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of the Online Psychotherapy Tool (OPTT) in this population. Participants were surveyed and interviewed to capture their opinions and feedback on the program. Survey analysis was conducted through Qualtrics statistical analysis software. The interview transcripts and open-ended survey questions were analyzed using thematic analysis methods in NVivo. Results: Participants (n=14) were cis-gender, predominantly white, with an average age of 38 years. While most respondents preferred in-person therapy, they also reported the benefits of the online psychotherapy program. Specifically, they expressed positive perceptions of the platform, the quality and interaction of their care provider, and the homework assignments and skills learned. Lack of motivation to complete weekly homework assignments was a frequently cited challenge. Unhelpful aspects of the therapy noted issues with the online format and frustration with certain program elements. Discussion: Participants expressed a positive outlook on the program, the platform, and treatment outcomes. A preference for in-person therapy was still indicated, demonstrating the need to focus on engagement in digital mental health interventions. In addition, the findings of this study shed light on the factors that can influence help-seeking in this population, including stigma in the work environment, demanding work schedules, workplace perceptions, and previous experiences accessing mental health services.

User experiences of an online therapist-guided psychotherapy platform, OPTT: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: In the last few years, online psychotherapy programs have burgeoned since they are a more accessible and scalable treatment option compared to in-person therapies. While these online programs are promising, understanding the user experience and perceptions of care is essential for program optimization. Methods: This study investigated the experiences of end-users who had previously received online psychotherapy through a web-based platform. A 35-item multiple-choice survey was developed by the research team and distributed to past users to capture their perceptions of the program. Results: The survey yielded 163 responses, with a 90 % completion rate. Participants were predominantly white and female, with an average age of 42 years. While most participants preferred in-person therapy, they also reported the benefits of the online psychotherapy program. Participants had positive perceptions of the platform, the quality and interaction of their therapist, and the homework assignments and skills covered. Lack of motivation to complete weekly homework assignments was cited as a common struggle. Discussion: The findings support online psychotherapy as a beneficial digital mental health tool and highlight some areas for improvement. Scalability and accessibility are key benefits of the platform. At the same time, improvements in participant engagement, including those from equity-seeking and equity-deserving groups, may enhance the efficacy of the programs offered.

Using electronically delivered therapy and brain imaging to understand OCD pathology: A pilot feasibility study.

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental health disorder with current psychotherapeutic treatments, while somewhat effective, yielding low accessibility and scalability. A lack of knowledge regarding the neural pathology of OCD may be hindering the development of innovative treatments. Previous research has observed baseline brain activation patterns in OCD patients, elucidating some understanding of the implications. However, by using neuroimaging to observe the effects of treatment on brain activation, a more complete picture of OCD can be drawn. Currently, the gold standard treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, CBT is often inaccessible, time-consuming, and costly. Fortunately, it can be effectively delivered electronically (e-CBT). Objectives: This pilot study implemented an e-CBT program for OCD and observed its effects on cortical activation levels during a symptom provocation task. It was hypothesized that abnormal activations could be attenuated following treatment. Methods: OCD patients completed a 16-week e-CBT program administered through an online platform, mirroring in-person content. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using behavioral questionnaires and neuroimaging. Activation levels were assessed at the resting state and during the symptom provocation task. Results: In this pilot, seven participants completed the program, with significant improvements (p < 0.05) observed between baseline and post-treatment for symptom severity and levels of functioning. No statistically significant (p = 0.07) improvement was observed in the quality of life. Participants had mostly positive qualitative feedback, citing accessibility benefits, comprehensive formatting, and relatable content. No significant changes in cortical activation were observed between baseline and post-treatment. Conclusion: This project sheds light on the application of e-CBT as a tool to evaluate the effects of treatment on cortical activation, setting the stage for a larger-scale study. The program showed great promise in feasibility and effectiveness. While there were no significant findings regarding changes in cortical activation, the trends were in agreeance with previous literature, suggesting future work could provide insight into whether e-CBT offers comparable cortical effects to in-person psychotherapy. Applying a greater knowledge of the neural mechanisms of action in OCD can help develop novel treatment plans in the future.

Comparing the Efficacy of an Electronically Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program to a Mental Health Check-In Program for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent anxiety disorder, with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) being the gold standard treatment. However, it is inaccessible and costly to many, as the mental health industry is overwhelmed by the demand for treatment. This means effective, accessible, and time-saving strategies must be developed to combat these problems. Web-based interventions for mental health disorders are an innovative and promising way to address these barriers. While electronically delivered CBT (e-CBT) has already proved productive and scalable for treating anxiety, other less resource-intensive interventions can be innovated. Checking up on mental health face-to-face has been shown to provide similar benefits to patients with anxiety disorders previously, but more research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of web-based delivery of this intervention. OBJECTIVE: This study will compare the efficacy of e-CBT and a web-based mental health check-in program to treat GAD. These programs will both be delivered through a secure, web-based care delivery platform. METHODS: We will randomly allocate participants (N=100) who are 18 years or older with a confirmed diagnosis of GAD to either an e-CBT program or a mental health check-in program over 12 weeks to address their anxiety symptoms. Participants in the e-CBT arm will complete predesigned modules and homework assignments while receiving personalized feedback and asynchronous interaction with a therapist through the platform. Participants in the mental health check-in arm will be contacted weekly through the web-based platform's written chat feature (messaging system). Therapists will ask the participants a series of predesigned questions that revolve around a different theme each week to prompt conversation. Using clinically validated questionnaires, the efficacy of the e-CBT arm will be compared to the mental health check-in arm. These questionnaires will be completed at baseline, week 6, and week 12. RESULTS: The study received ethics approval in April 2021, and participant recruitment began in May 2021. Participant recruitment has been conducted through targeted advertisements and physician referrals. Complete data collection and analysis are expected to conclude by August 2023. Linear and binomial regression (continuous and categorical outcomes, respectively) will be conducted. CONCLUSIONS: To the research team's knowledge, this will be the first study to date comparing the efficacy of e-CBT with a web-based mental health check-in program to treat GAD. The findings from this study can help progress the development of more scalable, accessible, and efficacious mental health treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04754438; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04754438. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/48899.

Investigating the effectiveness of electronically delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (e-CBTi) compared to pharmaceutical interventions in treating insomnia: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders characterized by an inability to fall or stay asleep. Available treatments include pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi). Although CBTi is the first-line treatment, it has limited availability. Therapist-guided electronic delivery of CBT for insomnia (e-CBTi) offers scalable solutions to enhance access to CBTi. While e-CBTi produces comparable outcomes to in-person CBTi, there is a lack of comparison to active pharmacotherapies. Therefore, direct comparisons between e-CBTi and trazodone, one of the most frequently prescribed medications for insomnia, is essential in establishing the effectiveness of this novel digital therapy in the health care system. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a therapist-guided electronically-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (e-CBTi) program to trazodone in patients with insomnia. METHODS: Patients (n = 60) will be randomly assigned to two groups: treatment as usual (TAU) + trazodone and TAU + e-CBTi for seven weeks. Each weekly sleep module will be delivered through the Online Psychotherapy Tool (OPTT), a secure, online mental health care delivery platform. Changes in insomnia symptoms will be evaluated throughout the study using clinically validated symptomatology questionnaires, Fitbits, and other behavioural variables. RESULTS: Participant recruitment began in November 2021. To date, 18 participants have been recruited. Data collection is expected to conclude by December 2022 and analyses are expected to be completed by January 2023. CONCLUSIONS: This comparative study will improve our understanding of the efficacy of therapist-guided e-CBTi in managing insomnia. These findings can be used to develop more accessible and effective treatment options and influence clinical practices for insomnia to further expand mental health care capacity in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05125146).

Developing and Implementing a Web-Based Relapse Prevention Psychotherapy Program for Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND:  Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by problematic alcohol use accompanied by clinically substantial distress. Patients with AUD frequently experience high relapse rates, and only 1 in 5 remain abstinent 12 months post treatment. Traditional face-to-face relapse prevention therapy (RPT) is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that examines one's situational triggers, maladaptive thought processes, self-efficacy, and motivation. However, access to this treatment is frequently limited due to its high cost, long waitlists, and inaccessibility. A web-based adaptation of RPT (e-RPT) could address these limitations by providing a more cost-effective and accessible delivery method for mental health care in this population. OBJECTIVE:  This study protocol aims to establish the first academic e-RPT program to address AUD in the general population. The primary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of e-RPT to face-to-face RPT in decreasing relapse rates. The secondary objective is to assess the effects of e-RPT on quality of life, self-efficacy, resilience, and depressive symptomatology. The tertiary objective is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of e-RPT compared to face-to-face RPT. METHODS:  Adult participants (n=60) with a confirmed diagnosis of AUD will be randomly assigned to receive 10 sessions of e-RPT or face-to-face RPT. e-RPT will consist of 10 predesigned modules and homework with asynchronous, personalized feedback from a therapist. Face-to-face RPT will comprise 10 one-hour face-to-face sessions with a therapist. The predesigned modules and the face-to-face sessions will present the same content and structure. Self-efficacy, resilience, depressive symptomatology, and alcohol consumption will be measured through various questionnaires at baseline, amid treatment, and at the end of treatment. RESULTS:  Participant recruitment is expected to begin in October 2022 through targeted advertisements and physician referrals. Completed data collection and analysis are expected to conclude by October 2023. Outcome data will be assessed using linear and binomial regression (for continuous and categorical outcomes, respectively). Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis methods. CONCLUSIONS:  This study will be the first to examine the effectiveness of e-RPT compared to face-to-face RPT. It is posited that web-based care can present benefits in terms of accessibility and affordability compared to traditional face-to-face psychotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05579210; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05579210. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/44694.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Patients With Bipolar II Disorder and Residual Depressive Symptoms: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric condition that can significantly impact every aspect of a person's life if left untreated. A subtype of BD, bipolar disorder type II (BD-II), is characterized by long depressive episodes and residual depression symptoms, with short-lived hypomanic episodes. Medication and psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are the main treatment options for BD-II. CBT specific for BD-II involves the recognition of warning signs, potentially triggering stimuli, and the development of coping skills to increase euthymic periods and improve global functioning. However, access to in-person CBT may be limited by several barriers, including low availability, high costs, and geographical limitations. Thus, web-based adaptations of CBT (e-CBT) have become a promising solution to address these treatment barriers. Nevertheless, e-CBT for the treatment of BD-II remains understudied. OBJECTIVE: The proposed study aims to establish the first e-CBT program specific for the treatment of BD-II with residual depressive symptoms. The primary objective of this study will be to determine the effect of e-CBT in managing BD symptomatology. The secondary objective will be to assess the effects of this e-CBT program on quality of life and resilience. The tertiary objective will involve gathering user feedback using a posttreatment survey to support the continuous improvement and optimization of the proposed program. METHODS: Adult participants (N=170) with a confirmed diagnosis of BD-II experiencing residual depressive symptoms will be randomly assigned to either the e-CBT and treatment as usual (TAU; n=85) group or the TAU (n=85) control group. Participants in the control group will be able to participate in the web-based program after the first 13 weeks. The e-CBT program will consist of 13 weekly web-based modules designed following a validated CBT framework. Participants will complete module-related homework and receive asynchronous personalized feedback from a therapist. TAU will consist of standard treatment services conducted outside of this research study. Depression and manic symptoms, quality of life, and resiliency will be assessed using clinically validated symptomatology questionnaires at baseline, week 6, and week 13. RESULTS: The study received ethics approval in March 2020, and participant recruitment is expected to begin in February 2023 through targeted advertisements and physician referrals. Data collection and analysis are expected to conclude by December 2024. Linear and binomial regression (continuous and categorical outcomes, respectively) will be conducted along with qualitative interpretive methods. CONCLUSIONS: The findings will be the first on the effectiveness of delivering e-CBT for patients with BD-II with residual depressive symptoms. This approach can provide an innovative method to address barriers to in-person psychotherapy by increasing accessibility and decreasing costs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04664257; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04664257. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/46157.

Efficacy of an Electronic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program Delivered via the Online Psychotherapy Tool for Depression and Anxiety Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Pre-Post Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Lockdowns and social distancing resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have worsened the population's mental health and made it more difficult for individuals to receive care. Electronic cognitive behavioral therapy (e-CBT) is a cost-effective and evidence-based treatment for anxiety and depression and can be accessed remotely. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the efficacy of online psychotherapy tailored to depression and anxiety symptoms during the pandemic. METHODS: The pilot study used a pre-post design to evaluate the efficacy of a 9-week e-CBT program designed for individuals with depression and anxiety affected by the pandemic. Participants were adults (N=59) diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, whose mental health symptoms initiated or worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The online psychotherapy program focused on teaching coping, mindfulness, and problem-solving skills. Symptoms of anxiety and depression, resilience, and quality of life were assessed. RESULTS: Participants demonstrated significant improvements in symptoms of anxiety (P=.02) and depression (P=.03) after the intervention. Similar trends were observed in the intention-to-treat analysis. No significant differences were observed in resilience and quality-of-life measures. The sample comprised mostly females, making it challenging to discern the benefits of the intervention in males. Although a pre-post design is less rigorous than a controlled trial, this design was selected to observe changes in scores during a critical period. CONCLUSIONS: e-CBT for COVID-19 is an effective and accessible treatment option. Improvements in clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression can be observed in individuals whose mental health is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04476667; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04476667. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/24913.

Comparing clinical decision-making of AI technology to a multi-professional care team in an electronic cognitive behavioural therapy program for depression: protocol.

Introduction: Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting up to 300 million people globally. Despite its high prevalence and debilitating effects, only one-third of patients newly diagnosed with depression initiate treatment. Electronic cognitive behavioural therapy (e-CBT) is an effective treatment for depression and is a feasible solution to make mental health care more accessible. Due to its online format, e-CBT can be combined with variable therapist engagement to address different care needs. Typically, a multi-professional care team determines which combination therapy most benefits the patient. However, this process can add to the costs of these programs. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been proposed to offset these costs. Methods: This study is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial recruiting individuals experiencing depression. The degree of care intensity a participant will receive will be randomly decided by either: (1) a machine learning algorithm, or (2) an assessment made by a group of healthcare professionals. Subsequently, participants will receive depression-specific e-CBT treatment through the secure online platform. There will be three available intensities of therapist interaction: (1) e-CBT; (2) e-CBT with a 15-20-min phone/video call; and (3) e-CBT with pharmacotherapy. This approach aims to accurately allocate care tailored to each patient's needs, allowing for more efficient use of resources. Discussion: Artificial intelligence and providing patients with varying intensities of care can increase the efficiency of mental health care services. This study aims to determine a cost-effective method to decrease depressive symptoms and increase treatment adherence to online psychotherapy by allocating the correct intensity of therapist care for individuals diagnosed with depression. This will be done by comparing a decision-making machine learning algorithm to a multi-professional care team. This approach aims to accurately allocate care tailored to each patient's needs, allowing for more efficient use of resources with the convergence of technologies and healthcare. Ethics: The study received ethics approval and began participant recruitment in December 2022. Participant recruitment has been conducted through targeted advertisements and physician referrals. Complete data collection and analysis are expected to conclude by August 2024. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.Gov, identifier NCT04747873.

Comparison of online and in-person cognitive behavioral therapy in individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder: a non-randomized controlled trial.

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 one-hour 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 in-person 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. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.Gov Protocol Registration and Results System (NCT04478058); clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04478058.

Comparing the efficacy of electronic cognitive behavioral therapy to medication and combination therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: a quasi-experimental clinical trial.

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a debilitating mental health disorder with first-line treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy. CBT is costly, time-consuming, and inaccessible. Electronic delivery (e-CBT) is a promising solution to address these barriers. However, due to the novelty of this intervention, more research testing the e-CBT efficacy independently and in conjunction with other treatments is needed. Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of e-CBT compared to and in conjunction with pharmacotherapy for GAD. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design where patients selected their preferred treatment modality. Patients with GAD were enrolled in either e-CBT, medication, or combination arms. The 12-week e-CBT program was delivered through a digital platform. The medications followed clinical guidelines. The efficacy of each arm was evaluated using questionnaires measuring depression, anxiety, and stress severity, as well as quality of life. Results: There were no significant differences between arms (N e-CBT = 41; N Medication = 41; N Combination = 33) in the number of weeks completed or baseline scores. All arms showed improvements in anxiety scores after treatment. The medication and combination arms improved depression scores. The e-CBT and Combination arms improved quality of life, and the combination arm improved stress scores. There were no differences between the groups in depression, anxiety, or stress scores post-treatment. However, the combination arm had a significantly larger improvement in quality of life. Gender and treatment arm were not predictors of dropout, whereas younger age was. Conclusion: Incorporating e-CBT on its own or in combination with pharmaceutical interventions is a viable option for treating GAD. Treating GAD with e-CBT or medication appears to offer significant improvements in symptoms, with no meaningful difference between the two. Combining the treatments also offer significant improvements, while not necessarily superior to either independently. The findings suggest that all options are viable. Taking the patient's preferred treatment route based on their lifestyle, personality, and beliefs into account when deciding on treatment should be a priority for care providers.

Benefits of Digital Mental Health Care Interventions for Correctional Workers and Other Public Safety Personnel: A Narrative Review.

Chronic exposure to stressors and potentially psychologically traumatic events contributes to the high prevalence of mental health disorders in correctional workers (CWs) and other public safety personnel (PSP). Digital mental health interventions are an accessible and scalable method of improving and maintaining the mental health of this population. The current review explores the benefits of digital mental health interventions for PSP-with a focus on CWs-and how these innovations can address the limitations in in-person mental health care. A systematic literature search of five databases (Medline, PsycInfo, Embase, CINAHL, Google Scholar) was conducted until March 2022. The search yielded 16 publications that focused on digital mental health interventions or care available to CWs and other PSP. The benefits of digital innovations were summarized into five categories which discussed (1) their ability to enhance accessibility and reduce stigma; (2) the provision of evidence-based and structured psychotherapy programs; (3) variability in the degree of therapist engagement; (4) the integration of proactive interventions; and (5) enhancing engagement by acknowledging unique experiences and interpersonal relationships. Although digital mental health technologies for CWs are still in their infancy, there is strong evidence to support their effectiveness in ameliorating symptoms of mental distress. Future research should consider how ethnicity, gender, culture, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status can be integrated into these therapies and how the interplay between different stakeholders and organizations can impact the effectiveness of online therapies and programs.

Effectiveness of Delivering Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Techniques by Email in Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder: Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Borderline personality disorder is a debilitating and prevalent mental health disorder, with often inaccessible treatment options. Electronically delivered dialectical behavioral therapy could be an efficacious and more accessible intervention. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of electronic delivery of dialectical behavioral therapy in the treatment of individuals with symptoms of borderline personality disorder. METHODS: Study participants diagnosed with borderline personality disorder were offered either an email-based or in-person group format dialectical behavioral therapy skill-building program. During each session, participants were provided with both the material and feedback regarding their previous week's homework. Electronically delivered dialectical behavioral therapy protocol and content were designed to mirror in-person content. Participants were assessed using the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). RESULTS: There were significant increases in SAQ scores from pre- to posttreatment in the electronic delivery group (F1,92=69.32, P<.001) and in-person group (F1,92=60.97, P<.001). There were no significant differences observed between the groups at pre- and posttreatment for SAQ scores (F1,92=.05, P=.83). There were significant decreases in DERS scores observed between pre- and posttreatment in the electronic delivery group (F1,91=30.15, P<.001) and the in-person group (F1,91=58.18, P<.001). There were no significant differences observed between the groups for DERS scores pre- and posttreatment (F1,91=.24, P=.63). There was no significant difference in treatment efficacy observed between the 2 treatment arms (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the proven efficacy of in-person dialectical behavioral therapy in the treatment of borderline personality disorder, there are barriers to receiving this treatment. With the prevalence of internet access continuing to rise globally, delivering dialectical behavioral therapy with email may provide a more accessible alternative to treatment for individuals with borderline personality disorder without sacrificing the quality of care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04493580; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04493580.

Using Electronically Delivered Therapy and Brain Imaging to Understand Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Pathophysiology: Protocol for a Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating and prevalent anxiety disorder. Although the basal ganglia and frontal cortex are the brain regions that are most commonly hypothesized to be involved in OCD, the exact pathophysiology is unknown. By observing the effects of proven treatments on brain activation levels, the cause of OCD can be better understood. Currently, the gold standard treatment for OCD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention. However, this is often temporally and geographically inaccessible, time consuming, and costly. Fortunately, CBT can be effectively delivered using the internet (electronically delivered CBT [e-CBT]) because of its structured nature, thus addressing these barriers. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to implement an e-CBT program for OCD and to observe its effects on brain activation levels using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is hypothesized that brain activation levels in the basal ganglia and frontal cortex will decrease after treatment. METHODS: Individuals with OCD will be offered a 16-week e-CBT program with exposure and response prevention mirroring in-person CBT content and administered through a secure web-based platform. The efficacy of the treatment will be evaluated using clinically validated symptomology questionnaires at baseline, at week 8, and after treatment (week 16). Using functional MRI at baseline and after treatment, brain activation levels will be assessed in the resting state and while exposed to anxiety-inducing images (eg, dirty dishes if cleanliness is an obsession). The effects of treatment on brain activation levels and the correlation between symptom changes and activation levels will be analyzed. RESULTS: The study received initial ethics approval in December 2020, and participant recruitment began in January 2021. Participant recruitment has been conducted through social media advertisements, physical advertisements, and physician referrals. To date, 5 participants have been recruited. Data collection is expected to conclude by January 2022, and data analysis is expected to be completed by February 2022. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study can further our understanding of the causation of OCD and help develop more effective treatments for this disorder. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04630197; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04630197. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/30726.

Determining the Efficacy of Electronic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder Compared to Pharmaceutical Interventions: Protocol for a Quasi-Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an extremely prevalent and debilitating mental health disorder. Currently, the gold standard treatment for GAD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or pharmacotherapy. The most common medications used to treat GAD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. While CBT is the gold standard treatment for GAD, it is costly, time-consuming, and often inaccessible. Fortunately, the electronic delivery of CBT (e-CBT) has emerged as a promising solution to address these barriers. e-CBT has shown to offer comparable results to in-person CBT while improving accessibility for patients and time efficiency for clinicians. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the treatment efficacy of e-CBT compared to and in conjunction with pharmacotherapy for GAD. METHODS: This study will use a quasi-experimental design to allow patients the freedom to choose which treatment modality they would like to receive. Participants with a diagnosis of GAD will be enrolled in 1 of 3 possible treatment arms: (1) e-CBT, (2) medication, or (3) a combination of e-CBT and medication. The e-CBT program will include a 12-week psychotherapy program delivered through the Online Psychotherapy Tool-a secure, cloud-based, digital mental health platform. The treatment efficacy of e-CBT will be compared with that of medication alone and medication in combination with e-CBT. RESULTS: The study received ethics approval in April 2019 and participant recruitment began in June 2019. Participant recruitment has been conducted through social media advertisements, physical advertisements, and physician referrals. To date, 146 participants (e-CBT: n=53; medication: n=49; combination: n=44) have been recruited. Data collection is expected to conclude by June 2021, and data analysis is expected to be completed by October 2021. Linear regression (for continuous outcomes) and binomial regression (for categorical outcomes) analysis will be conducted using interpretive qualitative methods. CONCLUSIONS: If either the efficacy of e-CBT is shown to be comparable to that of medication or the effects of both treatments are augmented when used in tandem, these findings could have major implications on the mental health care system. e-CBT is a more accessible and affordable treatment that could increase mental health care capacity 4-fold if proven viable. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04478526; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04478526. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/27772.