Treating anxiety and depression in older adults: randomised controlled trial comparing guided v. self-guided internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy

Nickolai Titov; Vincent J Fogliati; Lauren G Staples; Milena Gandy; Luke Johnston; Bethany Wootton; Olav Nielssen; Blake F Dear

doi:10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.002139

Treating anxiety and depression in older adults: randomised controlled trial comparing guided v. self-guided internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy

BJPsych Open. 2016 Feb 1;2(1):50-58. doi: 10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.002139. eCollection 2016 Jan.

Authors

Nickolai Titov¹, Vincent J Fogliati¹, Lauren G Staples¹, Milena Gandy¹, Luke Johnston², Bethany Wootton³, Olav Nielssen¹, Blake F Dear²

Affiliations

¹ , PhD.
² , PhD, eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
³ , PhD, School of Medicine (Psychology), University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.

Abstract

Background: Symptoms of anxiety and depression are prevalent in older adults.

Aims: To compare clinician-guided and self-guided versions of a transdiagnostic internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy (iCBT) intervention for adults aged 60 years and above.

Method: Adults (n=433) with symptoms of anxiety and depression were randomly allocated to: (1) clinician-guided treatment (n=153); (2) initial clinician interview followed by self-guided treatment (n=140); or (3) self-guided treatment without interview (n=140).

Results: Large reductions (d ≥1.00) in symptoms of depression and anxiety were observed across groups, and sustained at follow-up. No differences were observed in clinical outcomes or satisfaction ratings. Age did not affect outcomes.

Conclusions: Carefully developed iCBT interventions may significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults when delivered in either clinician-guided or self-guided formats.

Declaration of interest: N.T. and B.F.D. developed the Wellbeing Plus Course but derive no financial benefit from it.

Copyright and usage: © 2016 The Royal College of Psychiatrists. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) licence.