z-logo
open-access-imgOpen Access
Effectiveness of a Videoconferencing-Delivered Psychological Intervention for Mental Health Problems during COVID-19: A Proof-of-Concept Randomized Clinical Trial
Author(s) -
Richard A. Bryant,
Katie Dawson,
Dharani Keyan,
Suzanna Azevedo,
Srishti Yadav,
Jenny Tran,
Natasha Rawson,
Samuel B Harvey
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
psychotherapy and psychosomatics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.531
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1423-0348
pISSN - 0033-3190
DOI - 10.1159/000520283
Subject(s) - worry , anxiety , anhedonia , randomized controlled trial , mental health , mood , depression (economics) , distress , psychiatry , intervention (counseling) , psychology , medicine , clinical psychology , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , economics , macroeconomics
Anxiety and depression have increased markedly during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a lack of evidence-based strategies to address these mental health needs during the pandemic. Objective: We aim to conduct a proof-of-concept trial of the efficacy of a brief group-based psychological intervention delivered via videoconferencing for adults in Australia distressed by the pandemic. Methods: In this single-blind, parallel, randomised controlled trial, adults who screened positive for COVID-related psychological distress across Australia were randomly allocated to either a 6-session group-based program based on behavioural principles (n = 120) or enhanced usual care (EUC, n = 120). Primary outcome was total score on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS) anxiety and depression subscales assessed at baseline, 1 week posttreatment, 2 months (primary outcome time point), and 6 months after treatment, as well as secondary outcome measures of worry, sleep impairment, anhedonia, mood, and COVID-19-related stress. Results: Between May 20, 2020, and October 20, 2020, 240 patients were enrolled into the trial. Relative to EUC, at 2 months participants receiving intervention showed greater reduction on anxiety (mean difference, 1.4 [95% CI, 0.3 to 2.6], p = 0.01; effect size, 0.4 [95% CI, 0.1 to 0.7]) and depression (mean difference, 1.6 [95% CI, 0.4 to 2.8], p = 0.009; effect size, 0.4 [95% CI, 0.2 to 0.7]) scales. These effects were maintained at 6 months. There were also greater reductions of worry, anhedonia, COVID-19-related fears, and contamination fears. Conclusions: This trial provides initial evidence that brief group-based behavioural intervention delivered via videoconferencing results in moderate reductions in common psychological problems arising during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program may offer a viable and scalable means to mitigate the rising mental health problems during the pandemic.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.
Having issues? You can contact us here