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Randomized trial of Internet‐based relapse prevention for partially remitted depression
Author(s) -
Holländare F.,
Johnsson S.,
Randestad M.,
Tillfors M.,
Carlbring P.,
Andersson G.,
Engström I.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2011.01698.x
Subject(s) - relapse prevention , depression (economics) , randomized controlled trial , psychiatry , the internet , psychology , psychotherapist , medicine , clinical psychology , world wide web , economics , macroeconomics , computer science
Holländare F, Johnsson S, Randestad M, Tillfors M, Carlbring P, Andersson G, Engström I. Randomized trial of Internet‐based relapse prevention for partially remitted depression. Objective: To investigate whether Internet‐based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) can prevent relapse in persons with partially remitted major depression after previous treatment. Method: Seventy‐one women and 13 men ( N = 84) with partially remitted major depression after treatment were randomly assigned to either 10 weeks of Internet‐based CBT or to a control group. Self‐help material was used in combination with e‐mail contact with a personal therapist. Monthly self‐ratings of depressive symptoms were made, and diagnostic interviews were conducted before and after the treatment period, as well as 6 months later. Results: Significantly fewer participants in the CBT group experienced relapse (4/38 or 10.5%) compared with those in the control group (14/37 or 37.8%). The difference in relapse rates between groups occurred early in the study period and was still apparent after 6 months. A trend towards a larger reduction in depressive symptoms was observed at post‐treatment in the participants who received CBT compared with controls. Reduction in depressive symptoms reduced the risk of relapse. A trend towards a higher remission rate was found in the CBT group at the 6 month follow‐up. Conclusion: Internet‐based CBT seems promising in preventing relapse in persons with partially remitted major depression after previous treatment.