title: Internet-delivered applied relaxation for vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women: lessons from a failed trial.
abstract: Internet-delivered therapies have a short history and promising results have been shown for several health problems, particularly for psychiatric conditions. This study was a first attempt to evaluate whether Internet-delivered applied relaxation for hot flushes in postmenopausal women may be useful. Due to a high drop-out rate the study was prematurely terminated after inclusion of approximately two thirds of calculated women. The Internet-delivered applied relaxation must probably be modified for such populations and settings before it can be used further. This article will discuss the benefits and pitfalls to learn in order to meet the challenges of future studies. Clinical trial registration number: NCT01245907.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: lotta.lind.astrand@regionostergotland.se.
authors.forename: Lotta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lindh-Åstrand
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna-Clara Spetz
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Holm
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sydsjö
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Swedish Institute for Disability Research, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carlbring
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nedstrand
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods; D057239:Early Termination of Clinical Trials; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017698:Postmenopause; D012064:Relaxation Therapy
keywords: Applied relaxation; Failed trial; Hot flushes; Internet-delivered therapy; Menopause; RCT