Computer-assisted delivery of cognitive-behavioral therapy for addiction: a randomized trial of CBT4CBT.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the efficacy of a computer-based version of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for substance dependence.


METHODS
This was a randomized clinical trial in which 77 individuals seeking treatment for substance dependence at an outpatient community setting were randomly assigned to standard treatment or standard treatment with biweekly access to computer-based training in CBT (CBT4CBT) skills.


RESULTS
Treatment retention and data availability were comparable across the treatment conditions. Participants assigned to the CBT4CBT condition submitted significantly more urine specimens that were negative for any type of drugs and tended to have longer continuous periods of abstinence during treatment. The CBT4CBT program was positively evaluated by participants. In the CBT4CBT condition, outcome was more strongly associated with treatment engagement than in treatment as usual; furthermore, completion of homework assignments in CBT4CBT was significantly correlated with outcome and a significant predictor of treatment involvement.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that CBT4CBT is an effective adjunct to standard outpatient treatment for substance dependence and may provide an important means of making CBT, an empirically validated treatment, more broadly available.
Carroll
Kathleen M
KM
Division of Substance Abuse, Yale University School of Medicine, 950 Campbell Ave., 151D, West Haven, CT 06516, USA. kathleen.carroll@yale.edu
Ball
Samuel A
SA
Martino
Steve
S
Nich
Charla
C
Babuscio
Theresa A
TA
Nuro
Kathryn F
KF
Gordon
Melissa A
MA
Portnoy
Galina A
GA
Rounsaville
Bruce J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003710:Demography; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*