Emerging research suggests that therapist-guided digital cognitive behavioural therapy can reduce anxiety and depression in people with long-term health conditions.
The recent study by researchers at King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) reveals encouraging outcomes of digital cognitive behavioural therapy, alleviating symptoms in 89% of participants.
Study design
The study recruited 194 participants through long-term condition charities across the UK, including prominent organisations like Crohn’s & Colitis UK, Kidney Care UK, MS Society, Shift.ms, and Psoriasis Association.
Half of the participants received the therapist-guided digital programme named COMPASS, while the other half continued with their usual charity support.
Significant impacts of digital cognitive behavioural therapy
Results indicated a noteworthy reduction in psychological distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, among individuals who underwent the COMPASS programme.
Remarkably, 89% of participants receiving COMPASS reported clinically significant improvement in distress, compared to 45% of those without access to the programme.
Dr Federica Picariello, post-doctoral health psychology research associate at King’s IoPPN and joint first author of the study, said: “Currently, the main treatments for anxiety and depression in people with long-term physical health conditions are psychotherapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, combined with medication.
“However, growing evidence shows that NHS Talking Therapies services are less effective for people with long-term physical health conditions. This may be because the challenges of living with a long-term physical health condition are often not central to the treatment approach.
“Our study shows that COMPASS offers an effective and potentially scalable intervention for people whose long-term physical health condition is, in fact, the key driver for their anxiety and depression.”
Improvements beyond mental health
Beyond alleviating anxiety and depression, COMPASS demonstrated positive impacts on daily activities, illness-specific distress, and overall quality of life.
These findings underscore the holistic benefits of addressing mental health concerns in tandem with long-term physical conditions.
With an estimated 15.4 million people in England living with long-term physical health conditions and 30% of them experiencing co-occurring mental health issues, the implications of this study are significant.
The research suggests a potential scalable solution to address the mental health needs of this population, which has historically been underserved.
Efficient delivery pathway
The study authors propose an efficient delivery pathway for COMPASS, emphasising remote administration through a national hub linked to self-referral via charities or the NHS.
This approach could streamline access to specialised treatment, relieve pressure on existing charitable resources, and enhance the overall support system for individuals with long-term conditions.
The findings from this study highlight the effectiveness and scalability of digital interventions like COMPASS in addressing the complex interplay between mental and physical health.
By placing the long-term physical condition at the forefront of treatment, such interventions offer a promising avenue for enhancing the well-being of individuals with chronic health challenges.
