Kolaas K, Berman AH, Hedman-Lagerlöf E, Lindsäter E, Hybelius J, Axelsson E. Internet-delivered transdiagnostic psychological treatments for individuals with depression, anxiety or both: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
BMJ Open 2024;
14:e075796. [PMID:
38569713 PMCID:
PMC11015301 DOI:
10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075796]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Depression and anxiety are major public health problems. This study evaluated the effects of internet-delivered transdiagnostic psychological treatments for individuals with depression, anxiety, or both.
DESIGN
Systematic review with meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES
Medline (Ovid), Cochrane Library (Wiley), the Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate), and PsycInfo (EBSCO) were searched on 24 May 2021, with an update on 6 February 2023.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials of internet-delivered transdiagnostic psychological treatments, open to both participants with primary depression and participants with primary anxiety. This review concerned all treatment frameworks, both guided and unguided formats and all age groups.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
In random-effects meta-analysis, we estimated pooled effects on depression symptoms and anxiety in terms of Hedges' g with 95% CIs. Absolute and relative heterogeneity was quantified as the τ2 and I 2.
RESULTS
We included 57 trials with 21 795 participants. Nine trials (16%) recruited exclusively from routine care, and three (5%) delivered treatment via video. For adults, large within-group reductions were seen in depression (g=0.90; 95% CI 0.81 to 0.99) and anxiety (g=0.87; 95% CI 0.78 to 0.96). Compared with rudimentary passive controls, the added effects were moderate (depression: g=0.52; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.63; anxiety: g=0.45; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.56) and larger in trials that required all participants to meet full diagnostic criteria for depression or an anxiety disorder. Compared with attention/engagement controls, the added effects were small (depression: g=0.30; 95% CI 0.07 to 0.53; anxiety: g=0.21; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.42). Heterogeneity was substantial, and the certainty of the evidence was very low. Two trials concerned adolescents and reported mixed results. One trial concerned older adults and reported promising results.
CONCLUSION
Internet-delivered transdiagnostic treatments for depression and anxiety show small-to-moderate added effects, varying by control condition. Research is needed regarding routine care, the video format, children and adolescents and older adults.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42021243172.
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