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Moghimi E, Stephenson C, Agrawal A, Nikjoo N, Malakouti N, Layzell G, O'Riordan A, Jagayat J, Shirazi A, Gutierrez G, Khan F, Patel C, Yang M, Omrani M, Alavi N
Efficacy of an Electronic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program Delivered via the Online Psychotherapy Tool for Depression and Anxiety Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Pre-Post Pilot Study
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Efficacy of an electronic cognitive behavioural therapy program delivered via the Online Psychotherapy Tool for mental health problems related to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Pilot Study
Elnaz Moghimi;
Callum Stephenson;
Anika Agrawal;
Niloofar Nikjoo;
Niloufar Malakouti;
Gina Layzell;
Anne O'Riordan;
Jasleen Jagayat;
Amirhossein Shirazi;
Gilmar Gutierrez;
Ferwa Khan;
Charmy Patel;
Megan Yang;
Mohsen Omrani;
Nazanin Alavi
ABSTRACT
Background:
Lockdowns and social distancing resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have worsened the population's mental health and made it more difficult for individuals to receive care. Electronic cognitive behavioural therapy (e-CBT) is a cost-effective and evidence-based treatment that can be accessed remotely. The objective of the study was to investigate the efficacy of online psychotherapy during the pandemic.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to investigate the efficacy of online psychotherapy during the pandemic.
Methods:
The pilot study used a pre-post design to evaluate the efficacy of a 9-week e-CBT program designed for individuals affected by the pandemic. Participants were adults (n = 59) diagnosed with major depressive disorder and/or generalized anxiety disorder, whose mental health symptoms initiated or worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The online psychotherapy program focused on teaching coping, mindfulness, and problem-solving skills. Symptoms of anxiety and depression, resilience, and quality of life were assessed.
Results:
Participants demonstrated significant improvements in symptoms of anxiety (p = 0.023) and depression (p = 0.029) after the intervention. Similar trends were observed in the intent-to-treat analysis. No significant differences were observed in resilience and quality of life measures.
Conclusions:
e-CBT for COVID-19 is an effective and accessible treatment option. Improvements in clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression can be observed in individuals whose mental health is affected by COVID-19. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04476667
Citation
Please cite as:
Moghimi E, Stephenson C, Agrawal A, Nikjoo N, Malakouti N, Layzell G, O'Riordan A, Jagayat J, Shirazi A, Gutierrez G, Khan F, Patel C, Yang M, Omrani M, Alavi N
Efficacy of an Electronic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program Delivered via the Online Psychotherapy Tool for Depression and Anxiety Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Pre-Post Pilot Study