Citation

Sijbrandij M, Kunovski I, Cuijpers P. Depress. Anxiety 2016; 33(9): 783-791.

Affiliation

EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, , VU University, , The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/da.22533

PMID

27322710

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.

© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en