Effects of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention on improving work engagement and other work-related outcomes: an analysis of secondary outcomes of a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
This study reported a randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of an Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program on work engagement and secondary work-related outcomes.


METHODS
Participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to an intervention or a control group (N = 381 for each). A 6-week, 6-lesson iCBT program using a Manga (Japanese comic) story was provided only to the intervention group. Work engagement was assessed at baseline and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups for both groups.


RESULTS
The iCBT program showed a significant intervention effect on work engagement (P = 0.04) with small effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.16 at 6-month follow-up).


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed computerized cognitive behavior therapy delivered via the Internet to be effective (with a small effect size) in increasing work engagement in the general working population.


BACKGROUND
UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) UMIN000006210.
From the Department of Mental Health (Dr Imamura, Dr Kawakami, and Dr Shimazu), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Matsuyama), and Department of Neuropsychiatry (Dr Kasai), Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo; Departments of Health Promotion and Human Behavior and of Clinical Epidemiology (Dr Furukawa), Graduate School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Kyoto University; Kyoto Office (Dr Umanodan), Health Wave Co, Ltd; and Nippon University College of the Arts (Ms Kawakami), Tokyo, Japan.
Kotaro
K
Imamura
Norito
N
Kawakami
Toshi A
TA
Furukawa
Yutaka
Y
Matsuyama
Akihito
A
Shimazu
Rino
R
Umanodan
Sonoko
S
Kawakami
Kiyoto
K
Kasai
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000066477:Work Performance; D055815:Young Adult