Study Looks at Why Internet Cognitive Therapy for Depression Is Beneficial
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, July 10, 2023 -- The active ingredients of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on depression are unclear, apart from absorption training, which has a significant treatment effect, according to a study published online June 28 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Edward Watkins, Ph.D., from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, and colleagues conducted a randomized optimization trial to examine the individual main effects and interactions of seven treatment components within internet-delivered CBT for depression. A total of 767 adults with depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] score ≥10) were recruited and randomly assigned with equal probability to seven experimental factors within the internet CBT platform.
The researchers found that participants receiving internet-delivered CBT had reduced depression on average (pre- to posttreatment difference in PHQ-9 score, −7.79; six-month follow-up difference in PHQ-9 score, −8.63). For the presence versus absence of activity scheduling, functional analysis, thought challenging, relaxation, concreteness training, or self-compassion training, no main effect was found on depression symptoms posttreatment or at six-month follow-up. A significant main effect on depressive symptoms was only seen for absorption training at six-month follow-up.
"We cautiously suggest that internet-delivered CBT may reduce depression through an as-yet-undetermined combination of spontaneous remission, pan-therapy common factors, and factors common to all CBT components, although further replication is needed," the authors write.
One author disclosed ties to the publishing industry.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted July 2023
Read this next
Perinatal Suicide Tied to Intimate Partner Problems, Depression, Substance Use
WEDNESDAY, July 3, 2024 -- Perinatal suicide is often associated with intimate partner problems (IPPs) and behavioral health issues, according to a study published online...
High Social Media Use Tied to Depression in Only Some Teens
TUESDAY, July 2, 2024 -- High social media use is only tied to increased depression in teens who are already vulnerable, according to a study published online June 26 in...
Small Differences in Weight Change With First-Line Antidepressants
MONDAY, July 1, 2024 -- For eight first-line antidepressants, small differences are seen in mean weight change, with the least weight gain with bupropion, according to a study...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.