Satu Pihlaja
University of Helsinki Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
Title: Intensive telephone support in guided internet cognitive behavior therapy for depression in sub-optimally motivated patients
Biography
Biography: Satu Pihlaja
Abstract
The efficacy of human supported internet-delivered asynchronous self-help cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) for depression is well established. Studies suggest that guidance is important and that programmes without therapist support are less effective. Different ways of support have been studied. The objective of this study was to find out if an intensive telephone support (ITS) can increase the proportion of patients completing the programme (primary outcome), to prevent unnecessary delays during the treatment and to improve the effects of iCBT on symptoms of depression. Patients on iCBT who expressed sub-optimal motivation (n=100) have been randomly assigned to either intensive telephone support (ITS) added to iCBT or to iCBT as usual (seven sessions of standard CBT on the internet, with written asynchronous therapist-patient communication). There were significantly more programme completers in the ITS group than in control group. Predictors and mediators of these effects, as well as monetary rationale for ITS will be discussed.