Therapist-Guided Internet-Delivered CBT for Chronic Conditions: Predictors of Change

Therapist-Guided Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Chronic Conditions (Chronic Conditions Course; CCC): Single-Group Predictors of Change in Routine Care

Chronic health conditions are common, disabling, and often co-occur with depression and anxiety. Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) reduces barriers to treatment and has been adapted for chronic conditions. A transdiagnostic approach is promising because it is both effective and convenient in that clients with diverse conditions receive the same program. Both therapist-guided and self-guided formats have been found effective; however, in routine care therapist support is most common to ensure that clients have support to personalize care.

This study evaluates the therapist-guided Chronic Conditions Course (CCC) and examines predictors of change. Past research shows that the most robust predictors of ICBT outcomes are baseline severity, adherence, credibility, and working alliance. However, few studies of ICBT for chronic conditions have examined predictors together. Moreover, the researchers are aware of no studies that have examined these core predictors in routine delivery of ICBT for those with chronic health conditions alongside other predictors-such as changes in thoughts and adaptive actions. A limitation of past work is that predictor analyses were typically secondary to trials designed for other purposes. This study directly addresses that gap by prospectively modeling predictors of change in routine care.

The CCC is well supported by prior research. Dear and colleagues have completed several large trials validating the effectiveness of the CCC in addressing chronic health conditions. In the first large Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT; N=676), the researchers compared adults with diverse chronic conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis, arthritis, epilepsy, diabetes, lupus, kidney disease, endometriosis, chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, COPD) when randomly assigned to the course compared to treatment as usual (Dear et al., 2022). Results showed significant improvements in depression, anxiety and disability versus treatment-as-usual, maintained at 12 months post-treatment. Effects were comparable to face-to-face care, requiring only ~10-20% of clinician time per patient. In a second large pragmatic RCT (N=850), with 24-month follow-up, preliminary results suggest clinically significant reductions in depression/anxiety, and improvements in disability and quality of life are maintained over time.

In Saskatchewan, the CCC is now offered as routine care (no cost) via the Online Therapy Unit (OTU). An RCT (N=178) by the team comparing therapist-guided (offered by a team of registered therapists based on scheduling) versus self-directed CCC found similar satisfaction, completion, and outcomes across formats. Most recently in a subsequent routine care sample (N=121) clients were found to make significant improvement in adaptive actions during treatment, but the study did not allow for comparison of the role or adaptive behaviours in predicting outcomes relative to other variables. The current study is a single-arm interventional trial designed to investigate predictors of outcome (primary outcomes are depression and anxiety). Variables of interest include baseline symptom severity, adherence, credibility, working alliance, adaptive actions, and therapeutic realizations controlling for demographic variables.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Saskatchewan resident (as funding is provided by Saskatchewan government);
• Aged 18 years or older;
• self-reported diagnosed with chronic physical health condition affecting mental health;
• Access to a computer and the Internet;
• Consent to treatment/research

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current severe psychiatric or medical condition that requires immediate treatment and or would interfere with participation (e.g. current mania or psychosis, actively suicidal or unable to keep themselves safe, medical condition requiring immediate surgery or other invasive treatment, cognitive difficulties);
• Taking part in another treatment in our clinic;
• Living outside of Saskatchewan