Evaluation of an online-based self-help program for patients with generalized anxiety disorder - A randomized controlled trial

IF 3.6 2区医学 Q1 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health Pub Date : 2024-01-23 DOI:10.1016/j.invent.2024.100716

J. Rubel , T. Väth , S. Hanraths , L. Pruessner , C. Timm , S. Hartmann , S. Barnow , C. Lalk

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Abstract

Objectives

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).

Methods

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 (N = 78) received access to a 12-week online self-help program, while the waitlist control group (N = 78) received access after the 12-week waiting period.

Results

The intervention group showed a significant improvement in generalized anxiety symptoms compared to the control group (t(df = 123.73) = 4.52, p < .001) with a large effect size (d = 0.88, 95 %-CI: 0.50; 1.26). Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in wellbeing compared to the control group (t(df = 87,86) = 3.48, p < .001), with a moderate effect size (d = 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.

Conclusions

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.

Public health implications

Online-based self-help programs provide a promising treatment option for individuals with GAD who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy.

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评估针对广泛性焦虑症患者的在线自助项目--随机对照试验

本研究旨在评估在线自助干预对广泛性焦虑症（GAD）的影响。我们的主要结果是广泛性焦虑症状（使用广泛性焦虑症-7（GAD-7；Spitzer 等人，2006 年）进行测量）和基于世界卫生组织幸福指数-5（WHO-5；Topp 等人，2015 年）的幸福感。方法这项随机对照试验共纳入了 156 名年龄在 18 岁至 65 岁之间、被诊断患有广泛性焦虑症并能上网的德语患者。结果与对照组相比，干预组的广泛焦虑症状有显著改善（t(df = 123.73) = 4.52, p <.001），效应大小较大（d = 0.88, 95 %-CI: 0.50; 1.26）。此外，与对照组相比，干预组的幸福感显著增加（t(df = 87,86) = 3.48, p <.001），效果中等（d = 0.62, 95 % CI: 0.27; 0.98）。然而，在功能障碍、工作效率、心理健康知识和医疗保健需求等次要结果方面，没有观察到明显的效果。结论：这些研究结果表明，在线自助干预能有效减轻 GAD 症状并改善整体健康。未来的研究应探讨这种干预措施的长期效果，并研究其功效的潜在机制。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Internet Interventions-The Application of Information Technology in Mental and Behavioural Health Medicine-Health Informatics

CiteScore

6.50

自引率

9.30%

发文量

审稿时长

6 weeks

期刊介绍： Official Journal of the European Society for Research on Internet Interventions (ESRII) and the International Society for Research on Internet Interventions (ISRII). The aim of Internet Interventions is to publish scientific, peer-reviewed, high-impact research on Internet interventions and related areas. Internet Interventions welcomes papers on the following subjects: • Intervention studies targeting the promotion of mental health and featuring the Internet and/or technologies using the Internet as an underlying technology, e.g. computers, smartphone devices, tablets, sensors • Implementation and dissemination of Internet interventions • Integration of Internet interventions into existing systems of care • Descriptions of development and deployment infrastructures • Internet intervention methodology and theory papers • Internet-based epidemiology • Descriptions of new Internet-based technologies and experiments with clinical applications • Economics of internet interventions (cost-effectiveness) • Health care policy and Internet interventions • The role of culture in Internet intervention • Internet psychometrics • Ethical issues pertaining to Internet interventions and measurements • Human-computer interaction and usability research with clinical implications • Systematic reviews and meta-analysis on Internet interventions