Internet-Based Exposure Therapy Vs. Stress-Management Training for Worry

Karolinska Institutet311 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to examine if an internet-based exposure therapy is more effective in reducing excessive worry amongst patients who suffer from this problem than is internet-based stress management training.

Trial Objectives: Primary objective is to investigate whether an Internet-based exposure therapy can reduce the degree of excessive worry to a significantly greater extent than Internet-based stress-management training. The secondary objective is to a) investigate the cost-effectiveness of this treatment b) to study if any variables could moderate/mediate the treatment outcome, c) and to investigate the importance of sudden gains for the treatment outcome Trial Design: Randomized controlled trial with an active control and a waitlist control, who also will recieve treatment after the first group has finished. Duration: Ten weeks Primary Endpoint: Difference in worry symptoms between the treatment groups at week 10. Long term follow-up is also investigated (baseline to 4-months after treatment completion and baseline to 12-months after treatment completion). Efficacy Parameters: Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) Safety Parameters: Adverse Events is assessed via the internet. Description of Trial Subjects: Patients \> 18 years old with a PSWQ score more than 56 points Number of Subjects: 300

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

311

Conditions

Excessive Worry

Interventions

Internet-based exposure therapy (I-ET)BEHAVIORAL

The internet-based exposure therapy (I-ET) group receives a ten-week Internet-based CBT treatment, which is an extended version of the self-help book "Sluta älta och grubbla med kognitiv beteendeterapi" (How to quit worrying and ruminating with Cognitive behavior therapy) by licensed psychologist Olle Wadström (2007). The main focus of the book is to expose to the frightening word/image and refrain from using neutralizing thoughts. This is supposed to lead to the extinction of upsetting words/images.

Internet-based stress management therapyBEHAVIORAL

The I-SMT group receives a ten-week Internet-based CBT treatment focused on stress and how to manage stressful situations. This protocol is based on current evidence based recommendations for worry and has shown to be effective when delivered via the internet for irritable bowel syndrome and hypochondric worries.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Outpatients * ≥ 18 years * Situated in Sweden * Informed consent * PSWQ score more than 56 points Exclusion Criteria: * Substance dependence during the last six months * Post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder or psychosis * Symptoms better explained by axis 2 diagnosis (e.g. autism or borderline personality disorder) * MADRS-S score above 25 points * Psychotropic medication changes within two months prior to treatment that could affect target symptoms. * Received exposure based CBT for pathological worry the last 2 years.

Locations (1)

Karolinska Intitutet

Stockholm, Sweden

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)

Change in worry from baseline to Week 10 and at 4- and 12 months after treatment has ended.

Time frame: week 0, week 10 (weekly measurements), at 4 months follow up, 12 months follow up.

Secondary Outcomes

Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S)

Change in depression from baseline to Week 10 and at 4- and 12 months after treatment has ended.

Time frame: Week 0, Week 10, 4 and 12 months follow-up

Euroqol, EQ-5D

Change in general health from baseline to Week 10 and at 4- and 12 months after treatment has ended

Time frame: Week 0, Week 10, 4 and 12 months follow-up

Cognitive Avoidance Questionnaire (CAQ)

Change in cognitive avoidance from baseline to Week 10, at 4- and 12 after treatment has ended, and weekly during treatment

Time frame: Week 0, Week 10, at 4 and 12 months follow up and weekly during treatment

Intolerance of uncertainty scale

Change in thought control efforts from baseline to Week 10, at 4- and 12 months after treatment has ended, and weekly during treatment

Time frame: Week 0, Week 10, at 4 and 12 months follow-up, and weekly during treatment

Trimbos and Institute of Medical Technology Assessment Cost Questionnaire for Psychiatry (TIC-P)

Change in economic costs from baseline to Week 10 and at 4- and 12 months after treatment has ended

Time frame: Week 0, Week 10, 4 and 12 months follow-up

Brunnsviken Quality of Life Questionnaire (BBQ)

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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