Positive results for internet-based depression therapy

Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy can produce positive results for the treatment of mild to moderate depression, a study from Sweden indicates .

The study, published in the November issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, used a randomised controlled trial to compare the effects of an internet-administered self-help programme, including participation in a monitored, web-based discussion group, with participation in a web-based discussion group only.

117 people with mild to moderate depression took part in the trial and 36 participants in the treatment group and 49 in the control group completed post-treatment measurement of results.

The withdrawal rate from the programme was 27%. The main reason given was that the treatment was too demanding. Thus the rates of withdrawal differed between the treatment group (37%) and the control group (18%).

The authors of the study say that adjusting the text in the treatment programme and allowing a longer treatment period could possibly reduce rates of withdrawal.

It was found that the active treatment, which included standard cognitive-behavioural approaches and behavioural changes, resulted in decreased depressive symptoms immediately after treatment and at the six-month follow-up. There were also benefits in terms of anxiety symptoms and quality of life.

The authors conclude that internet-based self-help helps to spread the proven benefits of cognitive behavioural therapy for depression to those who do not usually have access to this form of treatment due to the restricted supply of skilled therapists.

They say the internet-delivered therapy should be pursued further as a complement to treatment, or treatment alternative, for mild to moderate depression.