Journal Article

Chat- and internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy in treatment of adolescent depression: randomised controlled trial

Berg, Matilda, Andersson, Gerhard, Liljethörn, Lina, Nordgren, Lise Bergman, Zetterqvist, Maria, Vlaescu, George, Topooco, Naira, Johansson, Sofie, Radvogin, Ella

2018

Overview

Depression is a major contributor to the burden of disease in the adolescent population. Internet-based interventions can increase access to treatment. To evaluate the efficacy of internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (iCBT), including therapist chat communication, in treatment of adolescent depression. Seventy adolescents, 15-19 years of age and presenting with depressive symptoms, were randomised to iCBT or attention control. The primary outcome was the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). Significant reductions in depressive symptoms were found, favouring iCBT over the control condition (F(1,67) = 6.18,  < 0.05). The between-group effect size was Cohen's  = 0.71 (95% CI 0.22-1.19). A significantly higher proportion of iCBT participants (42.4%) than controls (13.5%) showed a 50% decrease in BDI-II score post-treatment (  < 0.01). The improvement for the iCBT group was maintained at 6 months. The intervention appears to effectively reduce symptoms of depression in adolescents and may be helpful in overcoming barriers to care among young people. N.T. and G.A. designed the programme. N.T. authored the treatment material. The web platform used for treatment is owned by Linköping University and run on a non-for-profit basis. None of the authors receives any income from the programme.

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Subject: adolescent / adolescent depression / adult / Alcohol / Anxiety / Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / Beck Depression Inventory / Behavior modification / blended treatment / clinical effectiveness / Cognitive behavioral therapy / Cognitive-behavioural therapy / Communication / Comorbidity / controlled study / depression / deterioration / digital / Fear & phobias / female / health care cost / human / iCBT / Internet / internet-based treatment / internet-supported / interpersonal communication / major clinical study / male / Mental depression / Mental disorders / Mental health / online support group / outcome assessment / priority journal / Psychiatry / psychotherapist / Psychotherapy / Quantitative psychology / Questionnaires / randomized controlled trial / remission / self concept / Self help / stigma / stress / Systematic review / Teenagers / Therapists / Therapy / treatment gap / treatment response