Web-Based Psychotherapy Prevents Depression

At-risk patients with subclinical depressive symptoms benefited from a Web-based behavioral and problem-solving therapy program, which was provided with online trainer support.

Web-based cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown as effective for major depressive disorder (MDD) in some studies, but not in all (NEJM JW Psychiatry Jan 2016 and BMJ 2015; 351:h5627).

Researchers in Germany have now examined the efficacy of web-based delivery of an intervention combining behavioral therapy and problem-solving therapy (PST) to prevent depression in 406 subjects with limited depressive symptoms (Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale score, ≥16) and no MDD in past 6 months.

Patients, who were allowed to use antidepressants, were recruited from an insurance company although enrollment was open. Participants were randomized to six 30-minute sessions of the active intervention (mean, 4.93 completed sessions) or …

Reviewing Author

Peter Roy-Byrne, MD

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Peter Roy-Byrne, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Web-Based Psychotherapy Prevents Depression

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Reviewing Author