Web Based or Web Assisted Therapies - Resource Thread

[Thornton]

This thread is primarily for a listing and description of web-based or web -assisted psychological therapies. Criteria will include some published evidence of efficacy and safety. Comments specific to the resources may be helpful.
JT

 

[Thornton]

Re: Web Based or Web Assisted Therapies - Resource Thread

Program:

MoodGYM
?Delivering cognitive behaviour therapy for preventing depression.?
http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/

Reference:

Helen Christensen, Kathy Griffiths,Chloe Groves, Ailsa Korten (2006) Free range users and one hit wonders: community users of an Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy program. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 40 (1), 59?62. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1614.2006.01743.x

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1440-1614.2006.01743.x

Abstract
Objective: Little is known about the predictors of symptom change or the methods that might increase user 'compliance' on websites designed to improve mental health outcomes. The present paper: (i) examines predictors of expected final depression and anxiety scores on the MoodGYM website as a function of user characteristics; and (ii) compares the compliance rates of the original site with the new public version of the site (MoodGYM Mark II). The latter site requires compulsory completion of 'core' online assessments and may increase completion of site questionnaires.
Method: MoodGYM Mark I participants were 19 607 visitors (public registrants) between April 2001 and September 2003 plus 182 participants who had been randomly assigned to MoodGYM in an earlier trial (The BlueMood Trial). MoodGYM Mark II participants were 38 791 public registrants of the MoodGYM Mark II site collected between September 2003 and October 2004. Symptom assessments are repeated within the website intervention to allow the examination of change in symptoms. Outcome variables were gender, initial depression severity scores, number of assessments completed and final anxiety and depression scores.
Results: Men are predicted to be 0.19 units (SE = 0.095) higher than women on depression, controlling for the initial depression level and number of modules completed. For initial depression scores above 2, it is predicted that the final score will indicate improvement relative to the initial score, the magnitude of the improvement increasing as a function of the number of modules attempted. For initial anxiety scores above 2, it is predicted that the final score will indicate improvement relative to the initial score, the magnitude of the improvement increasing as a function of the number of modules attempted. Mark II registrants were more likely than to Mark I registrants to complete onsite assessments.
Conclusions: Visitors to the MoodGYM site are likely to have better psychological outcomes if they complete more of the site material. Compulsory completion of core sections increases assessment completion. There is a need to examine further the significance of attrition from online interventions, to develop methods of handling missing data, and to investigate strategies to improve visitor dropout.

jt

 

[Snowy Owl]

Re: Web Based or Web Assisted Therapies - Resource Thread

Thank you Dr Thornton

 

[Thornton]

Re: Web Based or Web Assisted Therapies - Resource Thread

International Society for Research on Internet Interventions
http://www.isrii.org/mainframe.htm

The International Society for Research on Internet Interventions (ISRII) is a non-profit organization of researchers whose focus is on the development and testing of various web-based health treatment programs. The aim of the society is to promote exchanges of ideas and experiences among researchers involved in treatment/intervention research using the Internet. Among the many interests shared by the members are cognitive behavioral interventions using the Internet, technical solutions in web applications, web-based questionnaire assessments, and computer applications in clinical psychology and in psychiatry more broadly.

Link above also to see Journal of Medical Internet Research
JT

 

[Thornton]

Re: Web Based or Web Assisted Therapies - Resource Thread

Web based screening and intervention for alcohol use disorders

Computer-Based Tools for Diagnosis and Treatment of Alcohol Problems http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh291/36-40.htm
Reid K. Hester, Ph.D., and Joseph H. Miller, M.S.W.
Reid K. Hester, Ph.D., is director of the Research Division at Behavior Therapy Associates, LLP, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Joseph H. Miller, M.S.W., is a research associate at Behavior Therapy Associates, LLP, and a senior research scientist at the University of New Mexico?s Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Diagnosis and treatment of alcohol-related problems are time-intensive procedures that often are difficult to implement in busy clinical settings. Computer-based tools are one approach that may enhance the availability and cost-effectiveness of assessment and intervention and also may offer other advantages over face-to-face interventions. Several PC- and Internet-based programs have been developed that can be used for assessing alcohol problems, some of which are based on existing screening instruments. Other programs have demonstrated effectiveness as interventions, serving to increase patient motivation and reduce alcohol-associated harm through skill building. Investigators also have begun to analyze the mechanisms through which computer-based programs can induce these effects. Future efforts should be aimed at developing and evaluating additional computer-based interventions, particularly for specific patient subgroups, and at removing barriers to the incorporation of such programs into clinical practice.

A program mentioned in the article above is the Drinkers Check-up (http://www.drinkerscheckup.com/). You can preview the module but they charge $25 for the screening and brief motivational intervention.

JT