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Randomized controlled trial of computerized cognitive behavioural therapy for depressive symptoms: effectiveness and costs of a workplace intervention

Phillips, R.; Schneider, Justine M.; Molosankwe, I.; Leese, M.; Foroushani, P. Sarrami; Grime, P.; McCrone, P.; Morriss, Richard K.; Thornicroft, G.

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Authors

R. Phillips

Justine M. Schneider

I. Molosankwe

M. Leese

P. Sarrami Foroushani

P. Grime

P. McCrone

RICHARD MORRISS richard.morriss@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Psychiatry and Community Mental Health

G. Thornicroft



Abstract

Background Depression and anxiety are major causes of absence from work and underperformance in the workplace. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be effective in treating such problems and online versions offer many practical advantages. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of a computerized CBT intervention (MoodGYM) in a workplace context.
Method The study was a phase III two-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial whose main outcome was total score on the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). Depression, anxiety, psychological functioning, costs and acceptability of the online process were also measured. Most data were collected online for 637 participants at baseline, 359 at 6 weeks marking the end of the intervention and 251 participants at 12 weeks post-baseline.
Results In both experimental and control groups depression scores improved over 6 weeks but attrition was high. There was no evidence for a difference in the average treatment effect of MoodGYM on the WSAS, nor for a difference in any of the secondary outcomes.
Conclusions This study found no evidence that MoodGYM was superior to informational websites in terms of psychological outcomes or service use, although improvement to subthreshold levels of depression was seen in nearly half the patients in both groups.

Citation

Phillips, R., Schneider, J. M., Molosankwe, I., Leese, M., Foroushani, P. S., Grime, P., …Thornicroft, G. (2014). Randomized controlled trial of computerized cognitive behavioural therapy for depressive symptoms: effectiveness and costs of a workplace intervention. Psychological Medicine, 44(4), 741-752. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291713001323

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 10, 2013
Online Publication Date Jun 24, 2013
Publication Date 2014-03
Deposit Date Apr 17, 2014
Publicly Available Date Apr 17, 2014
Journal Psychological Medicine
Print ISSN 0033-2917
Electronic ISSN 1469-8978
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 44
Issue 4
Pages 741-752
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291713001323
Keywords CBT, Depression, Stress, Workplace
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/715574
Publisher URL https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/randomized-controlled-trial-of-computerized-cognitive-behavioural-therapy-for-depressive-symptoms-effectiveness-and-costs-of-a-workplace-intervention/B40432B39D6664F6E417D04500027D98
Contract Date Apr 17, 2014

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