In Studies of Internet-Based CBT for Depression, Are the Patients Typical?

CBT offered via the Internet (iCBT) has greatly expanded access to treatment for depression. Although meta-analyses of iCBT studies show effectiveness for depressive symptoms, some experts have questioned the generalizability of these findings, partly based on whether these studies used more stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria than those found in studies of face-to-face psychotherapy or antidepressants. To learn more, investigators conducted a systematic review and meta-regression analysis that identified 21 randomized, controlled trials (N=4781) of self-guided iCBT, antidepressants, or face-to-face psychotherapy.

In general, exclusion criteria (minimum depressive-symptom severity scores, psychotic disorder or current psychotic sympto…