The Power of Internet-Based Treatment for Depression

Research Topics

Monday, 09 November 2009

Australia, with its vast distances between urban centers and medical help, has always been a world leader in developing mental health services over the internet, and do a tremendous amount of research in this area.

So it’s no surprise to see that most recently, investigators from St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, ran a study with 45 depressed subjects, randomly assigning them to either an internet-based, clinician-assisted, computerized, cognitive behavioral treatment (CaCCBT) program for depression (called the Sadness Programme) or to a waitlist control group.

In the Sadness Programme, participants completed six online lessons, weekly homework assignments, receive weekly email contact from a clinical psychologist, and contribute to a moderated online discussion forum with other participants.

A total of 20 (74%) treatment group participants completed all lessons within the 8 week program (that’s about par for the course), and post-treatment data were collected from 18/27 treatment group and 17/18 waitlist group participants. Treatment group participants reported significantly reduced symptoms of depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-second edition and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Item.

Treatment group participants each received an average of eight email contacts (111 min of therapist time]. Mean within- and between-group effect sizes (Cohen's d) across the two measures of depressive symptoms were 0.98 and 0.75, respectively. Participants found the treatment program acceptable and satisfactory.

These results replicate those from the pilot trial reported by Perini et al, and are consistent with literature indicating that Internet-based program for depression and other mental disorders, combined with clinical guidance, can result in clinically significant improvements. These data provide further support for the development of Internet-based treatment for common mental disorders.

Citation: Perini S, Titov N, Andrews G. Clinician-assisted Internet-based treatment is effective for depression: randomized controlled trial. Australia & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2009 Jun;43 (6): pages 571-8.