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Internet-based self-help using automatic messages and support on demand for generalized anxiety disorder: an open pilot study
Stockholm University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Clinical psychology.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2172-8813
2020 (English)In: Digital Psychiatry, E-ISSN 2575-517X, Vol. 3, no 1, p. 12-19Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a disabling and often chronic condition. Internet-based treatments for GAD have been shown to be effective, but many studies include weekly contact with a therapist with the aim to increase adherence and clinical outcomes. The current study evaluated a less therapist-intensive alternative: support on demand and automatic messages. Thirty-three participants with GAD went through a self-help program targeting excessive worry. Treatment lasted 9 weeks and consisted of seven modules. Participants received short messages with reminders and encouragement. Therapist support was given when asked for. The intervention led to significant and large within-group effects on the primary outcome, Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ; Cohen’s d = 1.17), as well as on secondary outcomes such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-IV (GAD-Q-IV; Cohen’s d = 2.71) and Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ-9; Cohen’s d = 1.05). The exception was a small effect on quality of life (d = −0.34). Twenty-four (74.9%) were satisfied with the treatment and one dropped out. Therapist support was used by 65.6%. Limitations include lack of control condition and a small sample. While preliminary, the findings suggest that self-guided internet interventions can work and be acceptable when automated messages and support on demand is provided.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2020. Vol. 3, no 1, p. 12-19
Keywords [en]
Internet, treatment, generalized anxiety disorder, acceptance, mindfulness
National Category
Psychology
Research subject
Psychology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:su:diva-187751DOI: 10.1080/2575517X.2020.1822730OAI: oai:DiVA.org:su-187751DiVA, id: diva2:1509870
Available from: 2020-12-14 Created: 2020-12-14 Last updated: 2022-02-25Bibliographically approved

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Carlbring, Per

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CiteExportLink to record
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Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
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  • de-DE
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Output format
  • html
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