Increasing accessibility to iCBT for depression : A randomised controlled trial of condensed versus standard length treatment

• Background: Research show that internet-based CBT (iCBT) is an effective treatment for depression. However, little is known about how length of treatment text material affect outcomes. Accessibility to treatment would improve if treatment could be presented with less text, especially for patients with ADHD symptoms and lower reading speed.Objective: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a Condensed treatment would be non-inferior to a Full-length treatment. We further hypothesized that a Condensed treatment would be extra helpful for participants with a low reading speed and more ADHD symptoms.Method: A single-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted (N = 267) comparing two versions of guided iCBT for depression; Full-length (60 000 words) and Condensed (30 000 words). Estimated between-group effect sizes and their confidence intervals were compared to a pre-determined non-inferiority margin (Cohen’s d = 0.4). Moderation analyses of reading speed and ADHD symptoms were conducted, as well as comparisons of treatment engagement and knowledge acquisition.Results: The Condensed version of iCBT was non-inferior at endpoint for depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and quality of life compared to the Full-length version. There was a significant interaction effect between reading speed and treatment version. No significant differences between the treatment versions were found on measures of treatment engagement or knowledge acquisition.Conclusion: A condensed version of iCBT for depression can be used with non-inferior results. A condensed treatment might be extra helpful for patients with lower reading speed. Given a high degree of missing data, these results need to be replicated.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi -- Tillämpad psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology -- Applied Psychology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Psychology

Psykologi

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