Tania Lecomte1,2, Amal Abdel-Baki3,4, Audrey Francoeur1,2, Briana Cloutier1,2, Amélie Leboeuf5, Pascale Abadie5, Marie Villeneuve1, Stephane Guay1,6. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 2. Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 3. Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 4. Département de psychiatrie et d'addictologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 5. Hôpital en santé mentale Rivière-des-Prairies, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 6. École de criminologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract
AIM: The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced many mental health professionals to therapy via videoconferencing. Mostly individual teletherapy has been offered and studied, although group therapy is often offered in clinics. In fact, little is known regarding group therapy's acceptability, feasibility, and potential impact when offered via videoconferencing. METHODS: This pilot study offered group cognitive-behavioural therapy for psychosis via videoconferencing to 14 individuals with early psychosis either living in remote areas or confined during the pandemic. RESULTS: The rate of consenting to the study (79%) and actual participation rates were acceptable (18.5 sessions out of 24). Although some technological obstacles were encountered, solutions offered allowed the videoconferencing group to be considered feasible for most participants and therapists. Prepost results on symptoms and self-esteem were comparable to those of other studies using the same group treatment but in-person. Alliance scores seemed similar as well. CONCLUSIONS: More studies are warranted on the efficacy of group therapy via videoconferencing. This pilot study does offer promising results, suggesting that a wider range of people with early psychosis can be reached and benefit from the advantages of receiving an evidence-based group intervention.
AIM: The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced many mental health professionals to therapy via videoconferencing. Mostly individual teletherapy has been offered and studied, although group therapy is often offered in clinics. In fact, little is known regarding group therapy's acceptability, feasibility, and potential impact when offered via videoconferencing. METHODS: This pilot study offered group cognitive-behavioural therapy for psychosis via videoconferencing to 14 individuals with early psychosis either living in remote areas or confined during the pandemic. RESULTS: The rate of consenting to the study (79%) and actual participation rates were acceptable (18.5 sessions out of 24). Although some technological obstacles were encountered, solutions offered allowed the videoconferencing group to be considered feasible for most participants and therapists. Prepost results on symptoms and self-esteem were comparable to those of other studies using the same group treatment but in-person. Alliance scores seemed similar as well. CONCLUSIONS: More studies are warranted on the efficacy of group therapy via videoconferencing. This pilot study does offer promising results, suggesting that a wider range of people with early psychosis can be reached and benefit from the advantages of receiving an evidence-based group intervention.
Authors: Paula Pires de Oliveira Padilha; Bastian Bertulies-Esposito; Sophie L'Heureux; David Olivier; Shalini Lal; Amal Abdel-Baki Journal: Early Interv Psychiatry Date: 2021-10-08 Impact factor: 2.721
Authors: Simone H Schriger; Melanie R Klein; Briana S Last; Sara Fernandez-Marcote; Natalie Dallard; Bryanna Jones; Rinad S Beidas Journal: JMIR Pediatr Parent Date: 2022-03-03
Authors: Daniel Mendelson; Élisabeth Thibaudeau; Geneviève Sauvé; Katie M Lavigne; Christopher R Bowie; Mahesh Menon; Todd S Woodward; Martin Lepage; Delphine Raucher-Chéné Journal: Schizophr Res Cogn Date: 2021-12-06