Comparison of outcomes across 3 low-intensity psychological treatments
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving Access to Psychological Therapy: An examination of outcomes across three step 2 low-intensity psychological treatment interventions
IRAS ID
239786
Contact name
Jorge Palacios
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
SilverCloud Health
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
There is a rapidly growing amount of research dedicated to innovative solutions using online technology as a platform for mental health treatment. One such case is internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT), which uses technology to replicate face-to-face psychological therapy. ICBT has already been proven in several clinical trials to be an effective alternative to traditional therapies, but less data exists on results of real-world delivery in a clinical setting.
The National Health Service (NHS) in England established the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme to tackle the growing demand for mental health services. IAPT operates a stepped-care model, with Step 2 designated for patients who have low-to-moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Thus, low-intensity therapies, such as guided self-help (GSH) and wellbeing group-therapy, are delivered at this level.
Many IAPT services have now integrated online therapy as an option at the Step 2 level, and maintain a detailed data bank of all patients that are treated through their system. However, as yet little of this data has been published with regards to patient outcomes comparing iCBT with traditional therapies. Alongside sociodemographic variables of patients using iCBT, and the trajectories of their symptoms, lots of valuable information could come from taking a closer look at this large dataset.
This study will look at 2 years worth of data from an IAPT service to take a deep dive into how iCBT has impacted depression and anxiety, firstly by comparing outcomes to GSH and wellbeing, and secondly by analysing the trajectories of how the symptoms change over the course of treatment, and if there are any sociodemographic covariates associated with these changes. This will help understand the effects of iCBT over time, and would help to improve the content and delivery of this innovative form of therapy in future.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0385
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion