iCBT (secondary analysis, guided iCBT vs. usual treatment)
Trial question
What is the effect of clinician-guided iCBT on university students with anxiety and depression?
Study design
Multi-center
Open label
RCT
Population
880 patients.
Inclusion criteria: university students with anxiety and/or depression.
Key exclusion criteria: positive screens for lifetime bipolar disorder or nonaffective psychosis or recent suicidal ideation with intent.
Interventions
N=445 clinician-guided iCBT (guides sent online weekly messages to users designed to create personalized experiences and provide feedback).
N=435 treatment as usual (informal counseling services provided by the faculty or referrals to the clinic).
Primary outcome
Joint remission of anxiety and depression at 3 months
51.8%
40%
51.8 %
38.8 %
25.9 %
12.9 %
0.0 %
Clinician-guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioral
therapy
Treatment as
usual
Significant
increase ▲
NNT = 8
Significant increase in joint remission of anxiety and depression at 3 months (51.8% vs. 40%; AD 11.8%, 95% CI 4.8 to 18.8).
Secondary outcomes
No significant difference in anxiety remission (62.7% vs. 53%; AD 9.7%, 95% CI -6.73 to 26.13).
Conclusion
In university students with anxiety and/or depression, clinician-guided iCBT was superior to treatment as usual with respect to joint remission of anxiety and depression at 3 months.
Reference
Corina Benjet, Nur Hani Zainal, Yesica Albor et al. A Precision Treatment Model for Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Depression Among University Students: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2023 Aug 1;80(8):768-777.
Open reference URL