Louise Mewton

CBT for depression: a pilot RCT comparing mobile phone vs. computer

BackgroundThis paper reports the results of a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing the delivery modality (mobile phone/tablet or fixed computer) of a cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for the treatment of depression. The aim was to establish whether a previously validated computerized program (The Sadness Program) remained efficacious when delivered via a mobile application.Method35 participants were recruited with Major Depression (80% female) and randomly allocated to access the program using a mobile app (on either a mobile phone or iPad) or a computer. Participants completed 6 lessons, weekly homework assignments, and received weekly email contact from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist until completion of lesson 2. After lesson 2 email contact was only provided in response to participant request, or in response to a deterioration in psychological distress scores. The primary outcome measure was the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9). Of the 35 participants recruited, 68.6% completed 6 lessons and 65.7% completed the 3-months follow up. Attrition was handled using mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVA.ResultsBoth the Mobile and Computer Groups were associated with statistically significantly benefits in the PHQ-9 at post-test. At 3 months follow up, the reduction seen for both groups remained significant.ConclusionsThese results provide evidence to indicate that delivering a CBT program using a mobile application, can result in clinically significant improvements in outcomes for patients with depression.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12611001257954

Prevalence and correlates of DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence in Australia: findings of the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

AIMS To report nationally representative data on the prevalence and correlates (including psychiatric comorbidity and treatment) of DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence in Australian adults. DESIGN The 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB). SETTING Australian nationally representative household survey. PARTICIPANTS 8841 Australian adults (16-85 years). MEASUREMENTS Interview schedule that assessed symptoms of the most prevalent DSM-IV mental disorders in the life-time and the past 12 months. FINDINGS Prevalence of life-time and 12-month disorders was 18.3% and 2.9% for alcohol abuse and 3.9% and 1.4% for alcohol dependence. Current alcohol abuse and dependence was significantly more common in males and younger adults. There were significant associations between current alcohol use and other drug use disorders (OR 18.2) and between anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorders (OR 2.6). Only 22.4% of those with alcohol use disorders were treated for their alcohol disorder. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol use disorders are highly prevalent, especially among young adult males. Comorbidity between anxiety and other drug use disorders is common and remains a significant challenge for the delivery of effective health-care services and treatment. The low rate of effective interventions for alcohol problems is a significant public health concern.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERNET COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY FOR GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of internet cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The current study aims to determine whether these efficacy findings, established under controlled research conditions, translate into effectiveness in practice.

A clinical audit of changes in suicide ideas with internet treatment for depression.

Objectives To examine reductions in suicidal ideation among a sample of patients who were prescribed an internet cognitive behavior therapy (iCBT) course for depression. Design Effectiveness study within a quality assurance framework. Setting Primary care. Participants 299 patients who were prescribed an iCBT course for depression by primary care clinicians. Intervention Six lesson, fully automated cognitive behaviour therapy course delivered over the internet. Primary outcome: suicidal ideation as measured by question 9 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results Suicidal ideation was common (54%) among primary care patients prescribed iCBT treatment for depression but dropped to 30% post-treatment despite minimal clinician contact and the absence of an intervention focused on suicidal ideation. This reduction in suicidal ideation was evident regardless of sex and age. Conclusions The findings do not support the exclusion of patients with significant suicidal ideation.

Effectiveness of transdiagnostic internet cognitive behavioural treatment for mixed anxiety and depression in primary care

BACKGROUND Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural treatment (iCBT) has been shown to be effective for the combined treatment of depression and anxiety in randomised controlled trials. The degree to which these findings generalise to patients in primary care awaits further investigation. METHODS Using an open-trial design, we investigated adherence to, and effectiveness of a 6-lesson therapist-assisted iCBT program for mixed anxiety and depression for patients (n = 707) who completed the program under the supervision of primary care clinicians (general practitioners, psychologists and other allied health professionals). Primary outcome measures were the PHQ-9 (depression), GAD-7 (generalised anxiety), K-10 (distress), WHODAS-II (disability), mini-SPIN (social anxiety) and panic disorder severity scale self-report version (PDSS). RESULTS Adherence to the iCBT program was modest (47.3%), but within-subjects effect sizes ranged from medium (0.51 for PDSS) to large (1.20 for PHQ-9). LIMITATIONS The lack of control group, limited post-treatment data due to drop-out, and short follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS iCBT is an effective treatment for mixed depression and anxiety when delivered in primary care settings. Methods to increase adherence are needed to optimise the benefits to patients.

Prevalence, correlates and comorbidity of DSM-IV Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorders in Australia

Objective: To report nationally representative findings on the prevalence, correlates, psychiatric comorbidity and treatment of DSM-IV Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorders in Australia. Method: The 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing was a nationally representative household survey of 8841 Australians (16–85 years) that assessed symptoms of the most prevalent DSM-IV mental disorders. Results: Prevalence of lifetime and 12-month cannabis use was 18% and 6%; prevalence of lifetime and 12-month cannabis use disorder was 6% and 1%. The conditional prevalence (proportion of ever users who met criteria for a disorder) of lifetime and 12-month cannabis use disorder was 32.2% and 14.3%. Current cannabis use disorders were more common in males (OR 2.0) and younger users (OR 4.6). Strong associations were observed between current cannabis use disorders and alcohol use disorders (OR 3.6) and current affective disorders (OR 3.0). Only 36.2% of those with current cannabis use disorders sought any treatment. Conclusions: The prevalence of cannabis use disorders in the Australian population is comparable with that in the USA. Current cannabis use disorders are highly concentrated in young Australians who have high levels of comorbidity. The low rates of treatment seeking warrant attention in treatment and prevention strategies.

Current perspectives on internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for adults with anxiety and related disorders

The aim of the current review is to provide a summary of research into Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) for anxiety disorders. We include 37 randomized controlled trials that examined the efficacy of iCBT programs in adults (aged over 18 years), as compared with waiting list or active control. The included studies were identified from Medline searches and from reference lists, and only published data were included. Several trials of iCBT for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia were identified. Two trials of iCBT for obsessive-compulsive disorder were identified, whilst one trial each was identified for hypochondriasis, specific phobia (spiders), and post-traumatic stress disorder. Finally, there were five trials that focused on transdiagnostic therapy for either a range of comorbid anxiety disorders or comorbid anxiety and depression. Between-group effect sizes were moderate to large for all disorders, and ranged from 0.30 to 2.53. iCBT was found to be commensurate with face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy whether delivered individually or in group format. Guidance may not be necessary for iCBT to be effective for immediate gains, but may be more important in longer-term maintenance of symptom improvement and maximizing patient adherence. The clinical experience of the individual providing guidance does not appear to impact treatment outcomes. Future research needs to focus on the optimal level of guidance required to generate maximum patient benefits, whilst balancing the efficient use of clinician time and resources. Evidence-based contraindications to iCBT should also be developed so that the choice of treatment modality accurately reflects patients’ needs. Further research should be conducted into the effective elements of iCBT, as well as the extent to which therapy enhancers and advancing technology can be accommodated into established iCBT frameworks.

The CLIMATE schools combined study: a cluster randomised controlled trial of a universal internet-based prevention program for youth substance misuse, depression and anxiety

BackgroundAnxiety, depressive and substance use disorders account for three quarters of the disability attributed to mental disorders and frequently co-occur. While programs for the prevention and reduction of symptoms associated with (i) substance use and (ii) mental health disorders exist, research is yet to determine if a combined approach is more effective. This paper describes the study protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the CLIMATE Schools Combined intervention, a universal approach to preventing substance use and mental health problems among adolescents.Methods/designParticipants will consist of approximately 8400 students aged 13 to 14-years-old from 84 secondary schools in New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland, Australia. The schools will be cluster randomised to one of four groups; (i) CLIMATE Schools Combined intervention; (ii) CLIMATE Schools - Substance Use; (iii) CLIMATE Schools - Mental Health, or (iv) Control (Health and Physical Education as usual).The primary outcomes of the trial will be the uptake and harmful use of alcohol and other drugs, mental health symptomatology and anxiety, depression and substance use knowledge. Secondary outcomes include substance use related harms, self-efficacy to resist peer pressure, general disability, and truancy. The link between personality and substance use will also be examined.DiscussionCompared to students who receive the universal CLIMATE Schools - Substance Use, or CLIMATE Schools - Mental Health or the Control condition (who received usual Health and Physical Education), we expect students who receive the CLIMATE Schools Combined intervention to show greater delays to the initiation of substance use, reductions in substance use and mental health symptoms, and increased substance use and mental health knowledge.Trial registrationThis trial is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials registry, ACTRN12613000723785.

Investigating differential symptom profiles in major depressive episode with and without generalized anxiety disorder: true co-morbidity or symptom similarity?

BACKGROUND Large community-based epidemiological surveys have consistently identified high co-morbidity between major depressive episode (MDE) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Some have suggested that this co-morbidity may be artificial and the product of the current diagnostic system. Because of the added direct and indirect costs associated with co-morbidity, it is important to investigate whether methods of diagnostic classification are artificially increasing the level of observed co-morbidity. METHOD The item response theory (IRT) log-likelihood ratio procedure was used to test for differential item functioning (DIF) of MDE symptoms between respondents with and without a diagnosis of GAD in the 2001-2002 National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). RESULTS The presence of GAD significantly increased the chances of reporting any symptom of MDE, with odds ratios ranging from 2.54 to 5.36. However, there was no indication of significant DIF of MDE symptoms in respondents with and without GAD. CONCLUSIONS The lack of any significant DIF indicates that cases with GAD do not present with a distinct MDE symptom profile, one that is consistent with the endorsement of symptoms that are conceptually similar in nature between the two disorders, compared to cases without GAD. This does not support the hypothesis that co-morbidity between MDE and GAD is artificially inflated because of the similar symptom criteria required by the current diagnostic system. Instead, MDE and GAD may be thought of as two distinct diagnostic entities that frequently co-occur because of a shared underlying trait.

An item response analysis of the DSM-IV criteria for major depression: Findings from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

BACKGROUND This study examines the psychometric properties and presence of gender bias in the major depression criteria using data from the Australian general population. METHODS Data came from a subsample of respondents from the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB; n=2061). A two-parameter logistic model was employed to yield severity and discrimination parameters, and the IRT log-likelihood-ratio test for differential item functioning (IRTLRDIF) procedure was utilized to evaluate gender bias. RESULTS DIF analyses indicated that the psychomotor difficulties criterion was endorsed at lower levels of severity by males than females. In general, the criteria were arrayed along a continuum of depression severity. Discrimination was greatest for concentration difficulties/indecision and lowest for death/suicidal thoughts and worthlessness/guilt. Worthlessness/guilt, psychomotor difficulties, and death/suicidal thoughts tapped the severe end of the depression continuum, whereas concentration difficulties/indecision and sleep disturbance tapped the mild range. LIMITATIONS The inclusion of stem questions precluded examination of two core symptoms of depression (depressed mood and loss of interest). CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the criteria performed well in defining a latent continuum of major depression. Few gender differences were observed, with the exception of the psychomotor difficulties criterion. Quantitative and qualitative analyses collectively hold promise of providing a scientifically rigorous basis for empirically-based modifications to the psychiatric classification system.