EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERNET-DELIVERED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.
Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) is a relatively novel treatment method that may improve the accessibility of mental health care for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of iCBT compared to inactive (waitlist control and treatment-as-usual (TAU)) and active other interventions in reducing PTSD symptoms.



A meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials (14 comparisons) and 1,306 participants was conducted.



The pooled effect size of the 11 comparisons (10 studies, 1,139 participants) that compared iCBT to waitlist and TAU control was moderate (g = 0.71, 95% CI [0.49-0.93], P < .001), and showed moderate heterogeneity. The pooled effect size of the three studies (three comparisons) comparing iCBT to other interventions was small (g = 0.28, 95% CI [-0.00 to 0.56], P = .05), with low heterogeneity.



The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis show that iCBT is an effective treatment for individuals with PTSD and comorbid depressive symptoms. However, further research is needed for effective dissemination of iCBT in clinical practice.
Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.m.sijbrandij@vu.nl.|EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, , VU University, , The Netherlands. e.m.sijbrandij@vu.nl.
Marit
M
Sijbrandij
Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ivo
I
Kunovski
Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands.|EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, , VU University, , The Netherlands.
Pim
P
Cuijpers
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
CBT/cognitive behavior therapy; PTSD/posttraumatic stress disorder; computer/internet technology; depression; life events/stress; trauma; treatment