The Efficacy of PowerPoint-based CBT Delivered Through Email: Breaking the Barriers to Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: A lack of resources and cultural stigma associated with mental health treatment necessitate the development of innovative and economical individualized treatments. This study evaluated the efficacy of delivering computer-based cognitive behavioral therapy (e-CBT) presented through Microsoft PowerPoint and delivered via email in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) to Iranian patients, as a means of overcoming treatment barriers. METHODS: Participants (N=80) of Iranian descent were recruited through announcements on psychology websites, Iranian organization websites, weblogs, and in flyers. Participants were randomly assigned to either an e-CBT or a control group. The e-CBT group received 12 weekly modules and homework assignments through email, presented using PowerPoint. The control group received no treatment (individuals in the control group were able to pursue another treatment, but would then be excluded from the study although they could continue with the program). All emails were sent by an attending or resident psychiatrist, who also provided feedback on weekly homework via email. The Beck Anxiety Inventory was used to measure levels of anxiety before study onset and changes in levels of anxiety upon completion of the program at 12 weeks, and at 6-month and 1-year follow-up in both groups. RESULTS: Beck Anxiety Inventory scores were significantly reduced in the group who received PowerPoint e-CBT modules delivered via email, compared with the control group, following 12 weeks of treatment, and the reductions were maintained at both follow-up points. CONCLUSIONS: Delivery of PowerPoint e-CBT modules via email was found to be a viable method for delivering CBT to individuals with GAD and a simple method for overcoming language, cultural, and travel barriers to accessing mental health resources. This simplified approach to the individualization and delivery of treatment modules has the potential to improve access to CBT as a treatment option throughout the world.

The Outcome of Structured Education in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Substance Use Disorder: A Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: Structured diabetes education for patients is a cornerstone of therapy; it empowers the patients by giving them appropriate tools for the self-management of the illness. The objective of this work was to determine how substance use disorder influences the outcome of structured diabetes education in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and whether patients with substance use disorder are less likely to benefit because of their addiction issues. METHODS: Only clinical trials involving substance use, which were randomized, in the context of type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. RESULTS: Literature was only available for alcohol use disorder, and there were no studies available on any other recreational substance use disorders and its effects on structured diabetes education. Out of 3 relevant studies, in the context of alcohol use disorder, 2 studies identified alcohol use by the patients as a limiting factor in receiving structured diabetes education. One study did not show any impact of alcohol on structured diabetes education. CONCLUSIONS: More high-quality randomized controlled trials with better sample sizes are required to say with confidence if alcohol use affects the patient's ability to participate in structured educational programs for type 2 diabetes mellitus management.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy through PowerPoint: Efficacy in an Adolescent Clinical Population with Depression and Anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Limited help-seeking behaviours, among adolescents with mental health concerns and many barriers to accessing mental health services, make innovative approaches to administering mental health therapies crucial. Therefore, this study evaluated the efficacy of e-CBT given via PowerPoint slides to treat adolescents with anxiety and/or depression. METHOD: 15 adolescents referred to an outpatient adolescent psychiatry clinic to treat a primary DSM-IV diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression chose between 8 weeks of e-CBT (n=7) or 7 weeks of live CBT (n=8). The e-CBT modules were presented using PowerPoint delivered weekly through email by either a senior psychiatry resident or an attending physician. Within each session, participants in both groups had personalized feedback on their mandatory weekly homework assignment from the previous week's module. BYIs were completed before treatment and and after final treatment within both groups to assess changes in depression, anxiety, anger, disruption, and self-concept. FINDINGS: Before treatment, BYI scores did not sig. differ between groups. After treatment, e-CBT participants reported sig. improved depression, anger, anxiety, and self-concept BYI scores while live CBT participants did not report any sig. changes. Only the Beck Anxiety Inventory sig. differed between groups after CBT. CONCLUSION: Despite the low sample size within this study, using email to deliver e-CBT PowerPoint slides and individualized homework feedback shows promise as an alternate method of CBT delivery that reduces barriers to receiving mental health treatment that occur internationally.

Online CBT Is Effective in Overcoming Cultural and Language Barriers in Patients With Depression.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of weekly email in delivering online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat mild to moderately depressed individuals. The effectiveness of the online CBT was measured following treatment and then again at a 6-month follow-up and was compared with outcomes in a waitlist control group. METHODS: Participants were recruited through announcements on psychology Web sites, Iranian organization Web sites, and weblogs and flyers. Ninety-three individuals who met inclusion criteria, including a score >18 on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), participated in the study, with 47 randomly assigned to the CBT group and 46 to the control group. The CBT group received 10 to 12 sessions of online CBT conducted by a psychiatrist and a psychiatry resident. Following completion of the CBT, a second BDI was sent to participants. Another BDI was then sent to participants 6 months after the completion of treatment. RESULTS: Email-based CBT significantly reduced BDI scores compared with results in a waitlist control group following 10 to 12 weeks of treatment and at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Email is a viable method for delivering CBT to individuals when face-to-face interaction is not possible. Limitations and future directions are discussed.