As a practitioner committed to delivering effective online therapy, you understand the importance of evidence-based practices. The recent study titled "A pragmatic factorial randomized controlled trial of transdiagnostic internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy: Exploring benefits of homework reflection questionnaires and twice-weekly therapist support" offers valuable insights into optimizing Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT). Let's delve into the key findings and explore how you can implement these outcomes to enhance your practice.
Key Findings of the Study
The study examined the impact of two factors on iCBT outcomes: Homework Reflection Questionnaires (HWRQs) and the frequency of therapist support (once-weekly vs. twice-weekly). Here are the main takeaways:
- Homework Reflection Questionnaires: Contrary to expectations, HWRQs were associated with fewer logins and days accessing the iCBT program. However, they did not significantly impact the primary outcomes of depression and anxiety.
- Twice-Weekly Support: Providing twice-weekly support led to more emails sent by patients but did not result in significant improvements in primary outcomes compared to once-weekly support.
- Overall Improvements: Regardless of the treatment approach, all groups showed substantial improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms that were maintained at 24-week follow-up.
Implementing the Findings in Your Practice
Here are some practical steps to apply these findings to your online therapy practice:
1. Optimize Engagement without Overloading
While HWRQs did not enhance engagement as expected, they might still be beneficial for certain patients. Consider using them selectively, especially for those who may benefit from structured reflection.
2. Balance Therapist Support
Twice-weekly support increased patient emails but did not significantly improve outcomes. To manage your workload effectively, offer twice-weekly support only when clinically indicated or based on patient preference.
3. Focus on Core Therapy Components
Regardless of additional strategies, the core components of iCBT—such as structured lessons and skill-building activities—are highly effective. Ensure these elements are robustly implemented in your practice.
Encouraging Further Research
While this study provides valuable insights, it also highlights the need for further research. Investigating the specific conditions under which HWRQs and increased support might be more beneficial can help refine these strategies.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: A pragmatic factorial randomized controlled trial of transdiagnostic internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy: Exploring benefits of homework reflection questionnaires and twice-weekly therapist support.
