Combining imagination and reason in the treatment of depression: a randomized controlled trial of internet-based cognitive-bias modification and internet-CBT for depression

Alishia D Williams, Simon E Blackwell, Anna Mackenzie, Emily A Holmes, Gavin Andrews

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Computerized cognitive-bias modification (CBM) protocols are rapidly evolving in experimental medicine yet might best be combined with Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT). No research to date has evaluated the combined approach in depression. The current randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate both the independent effects of a CBM protocol targeting imagery and interpretation bias (CBM-I) and the combined effects of CBM-I followed by iCBT.

METHOD: Patients diagnosed with a major depressive episode were randomized to an 11-week intervention (1 week/CBM-I + 10 weeks/iCBT; n = 38) that was delivered via the Internet with no face-to-face patient contact or to a wait-list control (WLC; n = 31).

RESULTS: Intent-to-treat marginal models using restricted maximum likelihood estimation demonstrated significant reductions in primary measures of depressive symptoms and distress corresponding to medium-large effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.62-2.40) following CBM-I and the combined (CBM-I + iCBT) intervention. Analyses demonstrated that the change in interpretation bias at least partially mediated the reduction in depression symptoms following CBM-I. Treatment superiority over the WLC was also evident on all outcome measures at both time points (Hedges gs = .59-.98). Significant reductions were also observed following the combined intervention on secondary measures associated with depression: disability, anxiety, and repetitive negative thinking (Cohen's d = 1.51-2.23). Twenty-seven percent of patients evidenced clinically significant change following CBM-I, and this proportion increased to 65% following the combined intervention.

CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides encouraging results of the integration of Internet-based technologies into an efficacious and acceptable form of treatment delivery. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)793-799
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Volume81
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Cognitive Therapy
  • Depressive Disorder, Major
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imagination
  • Internet
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Telemedicine
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Waiting Lists

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