Smartphone-Supported versus Full Behavioural Activation for Depression: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Kien Hoa Ly, Naira Topooco, Hanna Cederlund, Anna Wallin, Jan Bergström, Olof Molander, Per Carlbring and Gerhard Andersson

PLOS ONE, 2015, vol. 10, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: Background: There is need for more cost and time effective treatments for depression. This is the first randomised controlled trial in which a blended treatment - including four face-to-face sessions and a smartphone application - was compared against a full behavioural treatment. Hence, the aim of the current paper was to examine whether a blended smartphone treatment was non-inferior to a full behavioural activation treatment for depression. Methods: This was a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial (NCT01819025) comparing a blended treatment (n=46) against a full ten-session treatment (n=47) for people suffering from major depression. Primary outcome measure was the BDI-II, that was administered at pre- and post-treatment, as well as six months after the treatment. Results: Results showed significant improvements in both groups across time on the primary outcome measure (within-group Cohen’s d=1.35; CI [−0.82, 3.52] to d=1.47; CI [−0.41, 3.35]; between group d=−0.13 CI [−2.37, 2.09] and d=−0.10 CI [−2.53, 2.33]). At the same time, the blended treatment reduced the therapist time with an average of 47%. Conclusions: We could not establish whether the blended treatment was non-inferior to a full BA treatment. Nevertheless, this study points to that the blended treatment approach could possibly treat nearly twice as many patients suffering from depression by using a smartphone applica¬tion as add-on. More studies are needed before we can suggest that the blended treatment method is a promising cost-effective alternative to regular face-to-face treatment for depression. Trial Registration: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Treatment of Depression With Smartphone Support NCT01819025

Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0126559

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126559

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