Smartphone-supported versus full behavioural activation for depression : a randomised controlled trial

• BackgroundThere is need for more cost and time effective treatments for depression. This is the first randomised controlled trial in which a blended treatment - including four face-to-face sessions and a smartphone application - was compared against a full behavioural treatment. Hence, the aim of the current paper was to examine whether a blended smartphone treatment was non-inferior to a full behavioural activation treatment for depression.MethodsThis was a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial (NCT01819025) comparing a blended treatment (n=46) against a full ten-session treatment (n=47) for people suffering from major depression. Primary outcome measure was the BDI-II, that was administered at pre- and post-treatment, as well as six months after the treatment.ResultsResults showed significant improvements in both groups across time on the primary outcome measures (within-group Cohen’s d=1.35; CI [−0.82, 3.52] to d=1.58; CI [0.51, 2.65]; between group d=−0.13 CI [−2.37, 2.09] to d=0.05 CI [−1.18, 1.27]). At the same time, the blended treatment reduced the therapist time with an average of 47%.ConclusionsWe could not establish whether the blended treatment was non-inferior to a full BA treatment. Nevertheless, this study points to that the blended treatment approach could possibly treat nearly twice as many patients suffering from depression by using a smartphone applica¬tion as add-on. More studies are needed before we can suggest that the blended treatment method is a promising cost-effective alternative to regular face-to-face treatment for depression.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Annan teknik -- Interaktionsteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Other Engineering and Technologies -- Interaction Technologies (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Behavioural activation

major depression

smartphone application

mobile app

blended treatment

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