Evaluation of an online-based self-help program for patients with generalized anxiety disorder

• Verfasst von: Rubel, Julian [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Väth, Teresa [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Hanraths, Sofie [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Prüßner, Luise [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Timm, Christina [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Hartmann, Steffen [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Barnow, Sven [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Lalk, Christopher [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: Evaluation of an online-based self-help program for patients with generalized anxiety disorder
• Titelzusatz: a randomized controlled trial
• Verf.angabe: J. Rubel, T. Väth, S. Hanraths, L. Pruessner, C. Timm, S. Hartmann, S. Barnow, C. Lalk
• E-Jahr: 2024
• Jahr: March 2024
• Umfang: 10 S.
• Illustrationen: Illustrationen
• Fussnoten: Online verfügbar: 23. Januar 2024, Artikelversion: 1. Februar 2024 ; Gesehen am 08.04.2024
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: Internet interventions
• Ort Quelle: Amsterdam [u.a.] : Elsevier, 2014
• Jahr Quelle: 2024
• Band/Heft Quelle: 35(2024) vom: März, Artikel-ID 100716, Seite 1-10
• ISSN Quelle: 2214-7829
• DOI: doi:10.1016/j.invent.2024.100716
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• Sach-SW: Generalized anxiety disorder
• Sach-SW: Internet-based interventions
• Sach-SW: Randomized controlled trial
• K10plus-PPN: 1885292783

Abstract

Objectives - This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an online self-help intervention for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Our primary outcomes were generalized anxiety symptoms, measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 (GAD-7; Spitzer et al., 2006), and wellbeing based on the World Health Organization Wellbeing Index - 5 (WHO-5; Topp et al., 2015). - Methods - A total of 156 German-speaking patients aged 18 to 65 with a diagnosis of GAD and internet access were included in this randomized controlled trial. The intervention group (N = 78) received access to a 12-week online self-help program, while the waitlist control group (N = 78) received access after the 12-week waiting period. - Results - The intervention group showed a significant improvement in generalized anxiety symptoms compared to the control group (t(df = 123.73) = 4.52, p < .001) with a large effect size (d = 0.88, 95 %-CI: 0.50; 1.26). Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in wellbeing compared to the control group (t(df = 87,86) = 3.48, p < .001), with a moderate effect size (d = 0.62, 95 % CI: 0.27; 0.98). However, no significant effects were observed for secondary outcomes of functional impairments, work productivity, mental health literacy, and healthcare demands. For exploratory outcomes, improvement was found for anxiety and worry symptoms. - Conclusions - These findings suggest that an online-based self-help intervention effectively reduces GAD symptoms and improves overall wellbeing. Future research should explore the long-term effects of this intervention and investigate potential mechanisms underlying its efficacy. - Public health implications - Online-based self-help programs provide a promising treatment option for individuals with GAD who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy.