title: Long-term effectiveness and outcome predictors of therapist-guided internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy for social anxiety disorder in routine psychiatric care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the short-term outcome of therapist-guided internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (ICBT) for treating social anxiety disorder (SAD) has been well studied, little research has been undertaken on the sustainability of treatment gains, especially under clinically representative conditions. Further, there is some debate whether delivering psychological treatment via the internet may be suitable for more severely ill patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal multilevel growth-modelling of long-term (1-4 years) follow-up cohort data.
  
  
  METHODS
  An outpatient psychiatric clinic specialised in internet interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  446 adults having been treated for SAD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary outcomes were estimated improvement rate and Cohen's d effect size on the self-rated Liebowitz Social Anxiety Disorder Scale. Secondary outcome measures were change in comorbid depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A large treatment effect was observed on the primary outcome measure after treatment (d=0.8 (95% CI 0.7 to 0.9)), with continued long-term improvements (d=1.2 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.3)). However, the rate of change varied significantly between individuals over time. A faster rate of improvement was observed among patients with higher illness severity, whereas having a family history of social anxiety was related to worse response. Long-term improvements were also observed in comorbid depressive symptoms (d=0.7 (95% CI 0.5 to 0.8)) and health-related quality of life (d=-0.3 (95% CI -0.4 to -0.1)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings provide evidence for the long-term effectiveness of ICBT for SAD in routine clinical practice, even for more severe cases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El Alaoui
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hedman
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Brjánn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ljótsson
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lindefors
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: PSYCHIATRY