Development and Evaluation of a CBT-based Transdiagnostic Transcultural Web App for Mental Health Problems (WCBT)

Pakistan Association of Cognitive Therapists

Status: Completed

Conditions: Depression; Anxiety

Treatments: Behavioral: Web-based CBT guided self-help Interventions

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06158763

PACTwCBT

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to (1) develop a CBT-based transcultural, transdiagnostic interactive web app and (2) assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of this intervention.

Full description

Three-quarters of the global burden of mental disorders, including depression and anxiety, lies in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) (WHO, 2017). However, the treatment gap for common mental disorders in LMICs is significant, with an estimated 90% of people in these settings unable to access appropriate mental health care (Vos et al., 2015).

Despite the strong evidence supporting effectiveness in several disorders, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) remains underutilized internationally due to the limited availability of comprehensive training programmes and qualified CBT-trained staff. (Myhr & Payne, 2006). However, self-help and GSH can be delivered online and have been found to be effective and feasible for individuals with depression and anxiety (Andrews et al., 2018). Furthermore, leveraging the unprecedented increase in cell phone users and internet technologies, as well as the decline in prices of handheld mobile devices, may overcome barriers to care and address the substantial mental health treatment gap in these settings (Lambert & Littlefield, 2009; Lewis et al., 2012; UN Foundation-Vodafone Foundation Partnership, 2020; WHO, 2011). We, therefore, propose the development and evaluation of a CBT-based transcultural, transdiagnostic interactive web app to address symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.

Enrollment: 50 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals aged 18 to 65 years
• At least 5 years of education
• Computer literate
• Owning a smartphone or a personal computer with a reliable internet connection
• Score of 8 or higher on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression or Anxiety scales as measured by their primary care clinician.

Exclusion criteria

• Substance use disorder according to DSM-5 criteria
• Significant cognitive impairment (for example, profound learning disability or dementia)
• Active psychosis as determined by their primary care clinician

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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50 participants in 2 patient groups

Experimental Group

Experimental group

Description:

In the experimental group, a web-based application intervention will be provided.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Web-based CBT guided self-help Interventions

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

In the control group, the patients screened for depression or anxiety received treatment as usual (TAU). TAU consisted of standard care under the responsible family physician. TAU in low-income countries largely consists of pharmacological treatment with anti-depressant medication and follow-up in an outpatient clinic.