Marit Sijbrandij1,2, Ivo Kunovski3, Pim Cuijpers3,4. 1. Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.m.sijbrandij@vu.nl. 2. EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, , VU University, , The Netherlands. e.m.sijbrandij@vu.nl. 3. Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 4. EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, , VU University, , The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) is a relatively novel treatment method that may improve the accessibility of mental health care for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of iCBT compared to inactive (waitlist control and treatment-as-usual (TAU)) and active other interventions in reducing PTSD symptoms. METHODS: A meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials (14 comparisons) and 1,306 participants was conducted. RESULTS: The pooled effect size of the 11 comparisons (10 studies, 1,139 participants) that compared iCBT to waitlist and TAU control was moderate (g = 0.71, 95% CI [0.49-0.93], P < .001), and showed moderate heterogeneity. The pooled effect size of the three studies (three comparisons) comparing iCBT to other interventions was small (g = 0.28, 95% CI [-0.00 to 0.56], P = .05), with low heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis show that iCBT is an effective treatment for individuals with PTSD and comorbid depressive symptoms. However, further research is needed for effective dissemination of iCBT in clinical practice.
BACKGROUND: Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) is a relatively novel treatment method that may improve the accessibility of mental health care for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of iCBT compared to inactive (waitlist control and treatment-as-usual (TAU)) and active other interventions in reducing PTSD symptoms. METHODS: A meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials (14 comparisons) and 1,306 participants was conducted. RESULTS: The pooled effect size of the 11 comparisons (10 studies, 1,139 participants) that compared iCBT to waitlist and TAU control was moderate (g = 0.71, 95% CI [0.49-0.93], P < .001), and showed moderate heterogeneity. The pooled effect size of the three studies (three comparisons) comparing iCBT to other interventions was small (g = 0.28, 95% CI [-0.00 to 0.56], P = .05), with low heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis show that iCBT is an effective treatment for individuals with PTSD and comorbid depressive symptoms. However, further research is needed for effective dissemination of iCBT in clinical practice.
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