New digital therapy reduces anxiety and depression in people living with long-term physical health conditions

A new study from King’s College London found that therapist-led digital cognitive behavioral therapy reduced distress in 89% of participants with long-term physical health conditions. Here are the findings: psychiatry.

Researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London found that people with long-term conditions who took a digital, therapist-led program called COMPASS experienced significant psychological distress ( They found that anxiety and anxiety (total scores) were significantly reduced. depression) 12 weeks after the start of the study.

A total of 194 patients were recruited through long-term condition charities including Crohn’s & Colitis UK, Kidney Care UK, MS Society, Shift.ms and Psoriasis UK. Half of the participants received her COMPASS program, while the other half did not. Both groups continued to access regular philanthropic support.

Overall, 89% of participants who received COMPASS showed clinically significant improvement in distress, compared with 45% of participants who did not have access to the program. In addition to improving anxiety and depression, COMPASS was also associated with increased ability to perform daily activities, reduced disease-specific distress, and improved quality of life.

An estimated 15.4 million people in the UK have one or more long-term physical health problems. Her 30% of these people have co-occurring mental health conditions. This study is the first randomized controlled trial to measure the effectiveness of COMPASS in managing anxiety and depression associated with living with a long-term condition.

Dr. Federica Picariello, a postdoctoral fellow in health psychology at King’s IoPPN and co-lead author of the study, said: “Currently, the main treatment for anxiety and depression in people with long-term physical health conditions is cognitive therapy. It is psychotherapy such as therapy.” However, there is growing evidence that NHS talking therapy services are less effective for people with long-term physical health conditions.

“This may be because the challenges of living with long-term physical health conditions are often not central to treatment approaches. This study shows that health conditions provide an effective and potentially scalable intervention for people with conditions that are, in fact, the main cause of their anxiety and depression. is.”

Developed with support from King’s Health Partners’ Mind and Body Program, COMPASS employs standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) protocols to integrate mental and physical health needs, particularly in the long-term. Addressing the challenges of living with a health condition. The program uses interactive pathways tailored to individual needs to help people manage symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as the challenges associated with living with long-term symptoms, such as relapses and unpleasant treatments. It helps you develop strategies to deal with stressors.

Dr Katrin Hulme, Postdoctoral Fellow in Health Psychology at King’s IoPPN and co-lead author of the study, said: ‘This trial is the culmination of several years of research starting in 2018. Throughout the project, we We developed COMPASS, conducted programs and training for therapists, conducted user testing, obtained regulatory approval, implemented it in medical clinics, and conducted this study with patient and clinician representatives. ‘s valuable insights helped us create an online program specifically tailored to help people cope with the challenges that may come their way: living with a long-term health condition and addressing this unmet need. We will support health services to address this.”

After 12 weeks, when participants completed one of the 11 interactive digital COMPASS sessions at home and received up to five 30-minute support calls with a therapist, patients who received COMPASS did not receive COMPASS. reported that most outcomes were significantly improved compared to patients who underwent treatment. Access to programs.

Simon Brody, a participant in the study, said: ‘As a person with multiple sclerosis, my life has changed dramatically as a direct result of my diagnosis. I am now able to deal with it with courage and confidence.” COMPASS supports you through the changes and emotions that life throws at you as someone with a long-term illness. COMPASS guides you into the areas of your life you want to improve and explore by enabling your skills and providing supported tools to guide you along your journey. Highly recommended as a best practice for those in the MS community. ”

Treatment can be delivered remotely, via national hubs linked to self-referrals through charities and the NHS, rather than setting up facilities within primary and secondary health services in each region where resources are limited. The study authors suggest that this could lead to an efficient delivery route. This delivery pathway could reduce demands on charities that already provide vital support services and facilitate access to further specialist treatment.

The findings highlight that the use of digital interventions such as COMPASS, which puts long-term physical health at the center of treating anxiety and depression, is effective, scalable, and can be delivered with minimal therapist time. I am.

Lead author Professor Rona Moss-Morris, NIHR Maudsley BRC Digital Therapies Theme Leader and Professor of Applied Psychology at King’s College London, said: Access to tailored psychotherapy is difficult.” CE marked with minimal therapist intervention for both the patient (due to time, travel, and/or transportation) and the healthcare provider (due to cost of treatment and availability of well-trained therapists) As a digital therapy, COMPASS offers a potential solution. It is an effective intervention to alleviate psychological distress while overcoming some of these challenges. ”