Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health最新文献

{"title":"TONI - One for all? Participatory development of a transtheoretic and transdiagnostic online intervention for blended care","authors":"S. Behr ,&nbsp;F. Fenski ,&nbsp;J. Boettcher ,&nbsp;C. Knaevelsrud ,&nbsp;L. Hammelrath ,&nbsp;G. Kovacs ,&nbsp;W. Schirmer ,&nbsp;H. Petrick ,&nbsp;P. Becker ,&nbsp;C. Schaeuffele","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100723","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2024.100723","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Internet-based interventions offer a way to meet the high demand for psychological support. However, this setting also has disadvantages, such as the lack of personal contact and the limited ability to respond to crises. Blended care combines Internet-based interventions with face-to-face psychotherapy and merges the benefits of both settings. To ensure the uptake of blended care in routine care, Internet-based interventions need to be suitable for different therapeutic approaches and mental disorders.</p></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><p>This paper describes the participatory development process of the Internet-based intervention “TONI” using a common therapeutic language and content on various transdiagnostic topics to be integrated into routine outpatient psychotherapy.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>To develop this intervention in a participatory manner, we followed the Integrate, Design, Assess, and Share (IDEAS) framework. In a multilevel development process, we used a combination of interviews, focus groups, and proofreading to optimally tailor online modules to routine outpatient psychotherapy. Building on well-established cognitive-behavioral online content, we included expert interviews with psychodynamic (<em>n</em> = 20) and systemic psychotherapists (<em>n</em> = 9) as well as focus groups with psychotherapists of different approaches (<em>n</em> = 10) and persons with lived experience of mental illness (PWLE; n = 10).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>We describe the development process of TONI step-by-step, outlining the specific requirements that therapists from different therapeutic approaches as well as PWLE have and how we implemented them in our intervention. This includes the content and specific exercises in the online modules, aspects of data protection, language, design, and usability.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Internet-based interventions that use a common therapeutic language and address therapeutic principles across different approaches have the potential to advance digitalization in psychotherapy. Involving psychotherapists and PWLE in intervention development may positively impact acceptance and usage in practice. This study shows how participatory intervention development involving both psychotherapists and PWLE can be carried out.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2024-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000162/pdfft?md5=cdf0b4ab77ea4a2aed5044ca6f723fad&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000162-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139719145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding university students' attitudes and preferences for internet-based mental health interventions","authors":"Ömer Özer ,&nbsp;Burak Köksal ,&nbsp;Ahmet Altinok","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100722","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2024.100722","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Internet-based interventions are recognised as a practical approach to address mental health issues. The acceptance and utilisation of such interventions are closely linked to user attitudes and preferences. This study aims to examine the predictors of university students' attitudes towards internet-based interventions. Additionally, it seeks to elucidate students' preferences regarding crucial features of these interventions, such as the format, delivery mode, content type, and structural components, to understand better what makes these interventions appealing and practical for university students.</p><p>A total of 273 university students (comprising 68 % females and 32 % males) participated in the study. The data collection instruments employed were the Personal Information Form, Internet-Based Intervention Preference Survey, E-therapy Attitude Measure (ETAM), Digital Literacy Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). The data were analysed utilising descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis.</p><p>The multiple regression analysis revealed digital literacy as a predictive factor for attitudes towards internet-based interventions. Demographic variables, such as age and gender, and psychological variables, such as depression and anxiety levels, were found not to be associated with attitudes towards these interventions.</p><p>While students are actively seeking mental health information online, a significant majority remain unaware of internet-based interventions. They show a preference for interventions offering greater human interaction, including face-to-face guidance and video content featuring people. Participants favour completing one or two sessions of the intervention weekly. Desired features of internet-based interventions include self-assessment scales, relatable characters, voice relaxation exercises, practical daily life activity tasks, and weekly reminders throughout the process.</p><p>In conclusion, initiatives aimed at enhancing digital literacy levels could foster more positive attitudes towards internet-based interventions among students. Developers creating Internet-Based Interventions (IBI) for university students should consider these preferences.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000150/pdfft?md5=202d9a2d70f20f090f0bda0c10d79817&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000150-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139709660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility and utility of mobile health interventions for depression and anxiety in rural populations: A scoping review","authors":"Michael J. McCarthy ,&nbsp;Alexandra Wicker ,&nbsp;Juliette Roddy ,&nbsp;Mark Remiker ,&nbsp;Indrakshi Roy ,&nbsp;Megan McCoy ,&nbsp;Eric S. Cerino ,&nbsp;Julie Baldwin","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100724","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100724","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Despite the potential of mobile health (mHealth) to address high rates of depression and anxiety in underserved rural communities, most mHealth interventions do not explicitly consider the realities of rural life. The aim of this scoping review is to identify and examine the available literature on mHealth interventions that consider the needs of rural populations in order to gauge their feasibility and utility for addressing depression and anxiety. Additionally, we provide an overview of rural users' perceptions about and preferences for mHealth-delivered mental health screening and intervention systems. Out of 169 articles identified, 16 met inclusion criteria. Studies were conducted across a wide range of countries, age groups, and rural subpopulations including individuals with bipolar disorder, anxiety, perinatal depression, PTSD, and chronic pain, as well as refugees, veterans, and transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals. All interventions were in the feasibility/acceptability testing stage for rural users. Identified strengths included their simplicity, accessibility, convenience, availability of support between sessions with providers, and remote access to a care team. Weaknesses included problems with charging phone batteries and exceeding data limits, privacy concerns, and general lack of comfort with app-based support. Based upon this review, we provide recommendations for future mHealth intervention development including the value of developer-user coproduction methods, the need to consider user variation in access to and comfort with smartphones, and potential data or connectivity limitations, mental health stigma, and confidentiality concerns in rural communities.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2024-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000174/pdfft?md5=bb7f9ea9435f78b73bd5e30ab730f803&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000174-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139670020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"User-centered development of an internet-based CBT intervention for the treatment of loneliness in older individuals","authors":"Christine Dworschak ,&nbsp;Eva Heim ,&nbsp;Nadine Kuhn ,&nbsp;Jessica Schwager ,&nbsp;Alicia Tröster ,&nbsp;Andreas Maercker","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100720","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100720","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Loneliness is a widespread phenomenon associated with a number of negative health outcomes. Older individuals may constitute one important target group with a need for effective interventions. However, despite evidence showing that addressing maladaptive social cognition (e.g., via cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT]) is the most effective intervention strategy for reducing loneliness, most existing programs aimed at older individuals do not use that method. Further, in terms of mental health service use, older individuals have been found to be an extremely undertreated population. When developing interventions, active involvement of end users in the development process is essential to increase later uptake.</p></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><p>The aim of the present study was to develop an internet-based CBT intervention for loneliness in older individuals (i.e., aged ≥65 years) applying a user-centered design. The present report provides an in-depth description of the development process.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Two phases of qualitative data collection were conducted in parallel with intervention development using a sample of <em>N</em> = 12 participants including both potential end users (i.e., older adults) as well as experts (i.e., psychotherapists). Measures included semi-structured interviews and usability testing.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>In Phase 1 interviews, participants indicated that they were predominantly positive about the idea of an internet-based program for loneliness targeting older individuals. Individualization and interactivity were named as crucial features. In Phase 2, usability testing of a prototype program provided important insights into technical barriers to intervention use. Further, participants reported that they were missing content on philosophy/theology and the role of descendants/relatives. Valuable insights from Phase 1 and Phase 2 were incorporated into the intervention program resulting in a 7-module internet-based self-help CBT intervention.</p></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><p>Findings of this study highlight the significance of including relevant stakeholders in the development process of an intervention. Additionally, results emphasize the high acceptance of internet-based interventions in this population, but also underline the need for considering age-specific aspects when developing treatments.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000137/pdfft?md5=ea6a28ae2f72adfab269c7b0f93a5919&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000137-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139658211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development and evaluation of an internet- and mobile-based intervention for individualized return to work planning after inpatient rehabilitation - Study protocol for a randomized-controlled-trial","authors":"Adina Kreis ,&nbsp;Anna Gomes ,&nbsp;Angeliki Tsiouris ,&nbsp;Manfred E. Beutel ,&nbsp;Christian Ruckes ,&nbsp;Ingo Dahn ,&nbsp;Annika Schiller ,&nbsp;Guido Loy ,&nbsp;Hiltrud Zajac ,&nbsp;Gregor Kosmuetzky ,&nbsp;Patrick Ziser ,&nbsp;Eckard Sträßner ,&nbsp;Vera Schneider ,&nbsp;Thomas Wilde ,&nbsp;Martin Leber ,&nbsp;Hannah Schäfer ,&nbsp;Rebecca Kilian ,&nbsp;Rüdiger Zwerenz","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100721","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100721","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Following discharge, it is crucial for patients to transfer intentions and action plans from inpatient rehabilitation into everyday life. This ensures their reintegration into social and working life and prevents economic costs due to sick leave or reduced earning capacity pension. However, most established aftercare programs do not specifically address occupational problems or challenges during occupational measures such as graded return to work. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the low-threshold online self-help intervention <em>marena</em> (Meine Arbeitsbezogene Reha-Nachsorge - My Work-related Rehabilitation Aftercare) to support return to work.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A two-arm randomized-controlled-trial (RCT) will be conducted. A total of <em>N</em> = 400 rehabilitation inpatients across different indication areas (psychosomatic, orthopedic, or cardiologic) aged 18 to 65 years with a planned return to work after medical rehabilitation, have a heightened social-medical risk and private internet access and are insured with the German Pension insurance or statutory health insurance, will be recruited in four medical and psychosomatic clinics in Germany. Participants will be allocated to either the intervention (IG) or the control group (CG). In a stepped-care model, participants of the IG will receive access to the non-guided internet- and mobile-based intervention <em>marena</em> (IG subgroup 1) or <em>marena</em> in combination with <em>GSA-Online plus</em> (IG subgroup 2), a guided psychodynamic internet-based intervention that has proven effective in two trials regarding occupational and health objectives. Based on a priori defined indication criteria, clinic staff will recommend either IG subgroup 1 or IG subgroup 2. The CG will receive optimized treatment as usual with access to a survey feature within <em>marena</em>. The primary outcome will be work status after 6 months (T2) and 12 months (T4). The endpoint at 12 months (T4) after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation will be considered as secondary endpoint. Work status is defined as positive if the participant is working and has ≤ 6 weeks of sick leave at T2 and ≤ 12 weeks of sick leave at T4. Secondary outcomes include successful completion of graded return to work, successful application for benefits for participation in working life, current work ability, social-medical risk, subjective prognosis of future employment, quality of life, somatic symptoms, coping, social support, depression, anxiety, and psychosocial stress.</p></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><p>This study will contribute to the evidence concerning efficacy of online aftercare interventions. If proven efficacious, <em>marena</em> could provide an individualized and adaptable self-help approach to promote return to work following inpatient rehabilitation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000149/pdfft?md5=1f1ae87e9dd2dc934e3ff76b29ff1e0e&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000149-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139658313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining how organizational leaders perceive internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for public safety personnel using the RE-AIM implementation framework","authors":"Janine D. Beahm ,&nbsp;Hugh C. McCall ,&nbsp;R. Nicholas Carleton ,&nbsp;Nicholas Jones ,&nbsp;Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100718","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100718","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Within Canada, internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) has recently been tailored by PSPNET to meet the needs of public safety personnel (PSP) to help address high rates of mental health problems within this population. Perceptions and outcomes of ICBT among PSP are promising, but it remains unknown how PSPNET is perceived by PSP organizational leaders. It is important to assess this gap because these leaders have significant potential to influence the uptake of ICBT.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>In the current study, PSP leaders (<em>n</em> = 10) were interviewed to examine their perceptions of PSPNET and opportunities to improve ICBT implementation. The RE-AIM evaluation framework was used to assess PSP leaders' perceptions of PSPNET in terms of reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The results evidenced that leaders perceived PSPNET as effective in reaching and serving PSP and PSP organizations. PSP leaders reported perceiving ICBT as effectively implemented, especially for being freely offered to individual PSP and for improving PSP's access to experienced therapists specifically trained to work with PSP. Participants indicated organizations have promoted and will continue promoting PSPNET longer-term, facilitating adoption and maintenance. Factors perceived as facilitating successful service delivery included building relationships and trust with PSP organizations and general support for PSP leadership mental health initiatives. PSP leaders identified perceived areas for improving ICBT implementation (e.g., ensuring leaders have access to data on PSPNET uptake and outcomes, creating promotional videos, expanding availability of PSPNET to other provinces, offering additional options for receiving therapist support).</p></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><p>Overall, the study provides insights into PSP leaders' perceptions of the implementation of ICBT among PSP and ideas for optimizing implementation efforts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000113/pdfft?md5=aaf4877a11d698ae5eb7a714e79af4fb&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000113-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139586346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects on voice hearing distress and social functioning of unguided application of a smartphone app — A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Alyssa Jongeneel ,&nbsp;Philippe Delespaul ,&nbsp;Nynke Tromp ,&nbsp;Dorien Scheffers ,&nbsp;Berber van der Vleugel ,&nbsp;Paul de Bont ,&nbsp;Martijn Kikkert ,&nbsp;Carlos F. Croes ,&nbsp;Anton B.P. Staring ,&nbsp;Heleen Riper ,&nbsp;Mark van der Gaag ,&nbsp;David van den Berg","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100717","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100717","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Temstem is a smartphone app developed with and for clinical voice hearing individuals with the aim to reduce their voice hearing distress and improve social functioning.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A randomized controlled trial with adult outpatients suffering from distressing and frequent auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) was conducted. Participants were randomized to unguided ‘Temstem+AVH monitoring’ or unguided ‘AVH monitoring only’ (control condition). Assessments were performed at baseline, post-intervention (week 5–6), and follow-up (week 9–10). Primary outcomes were voice hearing distress and social functioning, as measured with Experience Sampling Method (ESM), consisting of multiple daily questionnaires during six days. In addition, voices and mood were self-monitored with help of a daily reflective questionnaire. Analyses were linear regression models (intention-to-treat).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>44 Participants were allocated to Temstem and 45 to the control condition. No significant differences between the groups were found on both primary outcomes.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Our results do not support the effectiveness of stand-alone use of Temstem versus symptom monitoring on voice hearing distress or social functioning in voice hearing individuals. In order to potentially improve effectiveness of an mHealth tool in a population of people with frequent and distressing voices, we recommend to involve persons with lived experience in all stages of development and research; to thoroughly test the (technological) usability before performing an RCT; to test whether guidance of a therapist is needed to optimize effectiveness; and to provide prompts to remind the user to actually use the tool.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000101/pdfft?md5=fc896882ccdca17650d308d34bc10a66&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000101-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139586176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What to do when the unwanted happens? Negative event management in studies on internet- and mobile-based interventions for youths and adults with two case reports","authors":"Christina Schulte ,&nbsp;Theresa Sextl-Plötz ,&nbsp;Harald Baumeister ,&nbsp;Ingrid Titzler ,&nbsp;Lasse B. Sander ,&nbsp;Cedric Sachser ,&nbsp;Lena Steubl ,&nbsp;Anna-Carlotta Zarski","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100710","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2024.100710","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Despite severely burdened individuals, often being excluded from research studies on internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMIs), negative events (NEs) including suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) can still occur during a trial. NEs require monitoring and adequate safety measures. However, study protocols frequently lack comprehensive descriptions of procedures for managing NEs.</p></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><p>This study aimed to illustrate the assessment, monitoring, and procedures for addressing NEs in two studies on IMIs in adults and youth using case reports, to identify strengths and weaknesses of the NE management approaches, and to derive key learnings and recommendations.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Two case reports were drawn from two distinct IMI studies. The first study, PSYCHOnlineTHERAPY, evaluates the combination of an IMI with on-site psychotherapy for anxiety and depressive disorders in adults (adult blended study). The second study evaluates a standalone, therapist-guided IMI for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in youth (youth standalone study). Potential NEs were predefined depending on the study sample. The case studies thoroughly document the systematic recording and ongoing monitoring of NEs through self-report and observer-based assessments during the interventions. The cases illustrate a variety of NE management strategies, including automated and personalized approaches, adapted to the specific nature and severity of the NEs. The NE management approaches are visualized using decision trees.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>In the adult blended case study, online questionnaires detected STBs and triggered automated support information. As on-site therapy had already ended, a telephone consultation session allowed for the identification and discussion of the heightened intensity of suicidal thoughts, along with the development of specific additional help options. In the youth standalone case study, heightened tension in an adolescent with PTSD during trauma processing could be addressed in a telephone therapeutic session focusing on resource activation and emotion regulation. The referral to on-site treatment was supported. Overall, advantages of the NE management included automated procedures, multimodal assessment of a wide range of NEs, and standardized procedures tailored to different severity levels. Weaknesses included the use of single-item assessments for STBs and lack of procedures in case of deterioration or nonresponse to treatment.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This study provides practical insights and derives key learnings and recommendations regarding the management of NEs in different IMI contexts for both adults and youth.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000034/pdfft?md5=9664384ff89e02f033c38a749aa90410&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000034-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139549698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of an online-based self-help program for patients with generalized anxiety disorder - A randomized controlled trial","authors":"J. Rubel ,&nbsp;T. Väth ,&nbsp;S. Hanraths ,&nbsp;L. Pruessner ,&nbsp;C. Timm ,&nbsp;S. Hartmann ,&nbsp;S. Barnow ,&nbsp;C. Lalk","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100716","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100716","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an online self-help intervention for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Our primary outcomes were generalized anxiety symptoms, measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder – 7 (GAD-7; Spitzer et al., 2006), and wellbeing based on the World Health Organization Wellbeing Index - 5 (WHO-5; Topp et al., 2015).</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A total of 156 German-speaking patients aged 18 to 65 with a diagnosis of GAD and internet access were included in this randomized controlled trial. The intervention group (<em>N</em> = 78) received access to a 12-week online self-help program, while the waitlist control group (<em>N</em> = 78) received access after the 12-week waiting period.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The intervention group showed a significant improvement in generalized anxiety symptoms compared to the control group (<em>t</em>(<em>df</em> = 123.73) = 4.52, <em>p</em> &lt; .001) with a large effect size (<em>d</em> = 0.88, 95 %-CI: 0.50; 1.26). Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in wellbeing compared to the control group (<em>t</em>(<em>df</em> = 87,86) = 3.48, <em>p</em> &lt; .001), with a moderate effect size (<em>d</em> = 0.62, 95 % CI: 0.27; 0.98). However, no significant effects were observed for secondary outcomes of functional impairments, work productivity, mental health literacy, and healthcare demands. For exploratory outcomes, improvement was found for anxiety and worry symptoms.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>These findings suggest that an online-based self-help intervention effectively reduces GAD symptoms and improves overall wellbeing. Future research should explore the long-term effects of this intervention and investigate potential mechanisms underlying its efficacy.</p></div><div><h3>Public health implications</h3><p>Online-based self-help programs provide a promising treatment option for individuals with GAD who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000095/pdfft?md5=cc0ef5c2f97b810efb35f8bdc0ab5d3e&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000095-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139586401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A blended intervention for adjustment disorder: Study protocol for a feasibility trial","authors":"Sara Fernández-Buendía ,&nbsp;Pim Cuijpers ,&nbsp;Jorge Grimaldos ,&nbsp;Amanda Díaz-García ,&nbsp;María Palau-Batet ,&nbsp;Soledad Quero","doi":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100715","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.invent.2024.100715","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Adjustment disorder (AjD) is a maladaptive response to one or more psychosocial stressors. In many cases, the symptomatology of this disorder disappears once the stressor or its consequences are no longer present. However, in some cases, if left untreated, the symptoms may worsen and develop into a more severe mental disorder. In this regard, different authors propose that a low-intensity intervention may be suitable for this disorder. Previous studies with other mental disorders and with patients with AjD found that blended interventions can be a viable and effective option. The aim of this study is to analyze the feasibility (the participants' expectations and preferences, the satisfaction and acceptance, the appropriateness of different methods of recruitment and data collection, and the reasons for dropping out) of a blended cognitive-behavioral intervention (CBT) for AjD that combines the use of a self-applied Internet-based program with videoconference sessions with a therapist. As a secondary objective, the potential efficacy of this intervention will be tested.</p></div><div><h3>Method and analysis</h3><p>A feasibility trial with a single-group and open-trial design will be conducted. A total of 41 participants will be assigned to the single treatment group. All the participants will be assessed for eligibility and respond at four measurement points: pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3- and 12-month follow-ups. The treatment combines the use of an Internet-based intervention through a web platform with videoconference sessions with a therapist every 10–12 days. The intervention contains seven modules and is based on CBT. The main outcome measures are related to the feasibility of the intervention (adherence, treatment satisfaction and expectations, participants' opinions, preferences, therapeutic alliance, and usability). Clinical measures will also be assessed.</p></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><p>To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to test a blended intervention for AjD in the Spanish language. We expect this intervention to be feasible, and that a future Randomized Controlled Trial will be able to show its efficacy. Potential limitations include difficulties in recruiting the sample, failures in the computer systems, or a high dropout rate. Measures have been taken to try to reduce the impact of these limitations. This study received the approval of the Ethics committee of Universitat Jaume I in March 2022 (CD/42/2022).</p></div><div><h3>Trial registration</h3><p><span>ClinicalTrials.gov</span><svg><path></path></svg> Identifier: <span>NCT05464121</span><svg><path></path></svg>. Registered 19 July 2022, <span>https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05464121</span><svg><path></path></svg>.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48615,"journal":{"name":"Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782924000083/pdfft?md5=8c740f50f8d82ee3b579b76adbe94b33&pid=1-s2.0-S2214782924000083-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139553585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}