Do guided internet-based interventions result in clinically relevant changes for patients with depression? An individual participant data meta-analysis

Eirini Karyotaki*, David Daniel Ebert, Liesje Donkin, Heleen Riper, Jos Twisk, Simone Burger, Alexander Rozental, Alfred Lange, Alishia D. Williams, Anna Carlotta Zarski, Anna Geraedts, Annemieke van Straten, Annet Kleiboer, Björn Meyer, Burçin B. Ünlü Ince, Claudia Buntrock, Dirk Lehr, Frank J. Snoek, Gavin Andrews, Gerhard AnderssonIsabella Choi, Jeroen Ruwaard, Jan Philipp Klein, Jill M. Newby, Johanna Schröder, Johannes A.C. Laferton, Kim Van Bastelaar, Kotaro Imamura, Kristofer Vernmark, Leif Boß, Lisa B. Sheeber, Marie Kivi, Matthias Berking, Nickolai Titov, Per Carlbring, Robert Johansson, Robin Kenter, Sarah Perini, Steffen Moritz, Stephanie Nobis, Thomas Berger, Viktor Kaldo, Yvonne Forsell, Nils Lindefors, Martin Kraepelien, Cecilia Björkelund, Norito Kawakami, Pim Cuijpers

*Corresponding author for this work
67 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Little is known about clinically relevant changes in guided Internet-based interventions for depression. Moreover, methodological and power limitations preclude the identification of patients’ groups that may benefit more from these interventions. This study aimed to investigate response rates, remission rates, and their moderators in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effect of guided Internet-based interventions for adult depression to control groups using an individual patient data meta-analysis approach. Literature searches in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library resulted in 13,384 abstracts from database inception to January 1, 2016. Twenty-four RCTs (4889 participants) comparing a guided Internet-based intervention with a control group contributed data to the analysis. Missing data were multiply imputed. To examine treatment outcome on response and remission, mixed-effects models with participants nested within studies were used. Response and remission rates were calculated using the Reliable Change Index. The intervention group obtained significantly higher response rates (OR = 2.49, 95% CI 2.17–2.85) and remission rates compared to controls (OR = 2.41, 95% CI 2.07–2.79). The moderator analysis indicated that older participants (OR = 1.01) and native-born participants (1.66) were more likely to respond to treatment compared to younger participants and ethnic minorities respectively. Age (OR = 1.01) and ethnicity (1.73) also moderated the effects of treatment on remission.Moreover, adults with more severe depressive symptoms at baseline were more likely to remit after receiving internet-based treatment (OR = 1.19). Guided Internet-based interventions lead to substantial positive treatment effects on treatment response and remission at post-treatment. Thus, such interventions may complement existing services for depression and potentially reduce the gap between the need and provision of evidence-based treatments.

Original languageEnglish
JournalClinical Psychology Review
Volume63
Pages (from-to)80-92
Number of pages13
ISSN0272-7358
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 07.2018

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM)

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