Efficacy of an internet-based psychological treatment for agoraphobia with minimal therapist contact

Abstract

This study deals with the efficacy of an Internet-based computer therapy compared with an in-person cognitive-behavioral therapy, in the treatment of agoraphobia. Patients in the Internet group only had minimal initial contact with a therapist. The sample was composed of 44 adult patients with a diagnosis of agoraphobia. The Internet group and in-person groups underwent an 11-session intervention program. Agoraphobic cognitions, body sensations, social fear (as mobility test), and depression level were used as outcome measures. Results showed higher attrition rates in the Internet group. The in-person group exhibited improvements in all dependent measures, with moderate effect sizes (0.63 to 0.77 cohen’s d). The Internet group showed improvements in body sensations and depression level (moderate effect sizes). Intergroup comparisons showed a higher efficacy of in-person therapy, with moderate to large effect sizes ( 2 = 0.15 to 0.40). After the intervention, the Internet group exhibited better results than the control group and comparable results to the in-person group in body sensations, social fears/mobility, and depression level. These results are discussed considering the limited extent of internet-based therapy.