Group therapy over Zoom could be helpful for depression and anxiety

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-02-17 00:01

New Zealand

PHOTO: Compre Fibre/Unsplash

Researchers looked at whether a specific form of cognitive behavioural treatment done online can be helpful for Kiwis with depression and/or anxiety. Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioural Treatment targets the common factors shared between anxiety and depression and is appealing because many people have mixed symptoms of anxiety and depression as opposed to a single disorder. The four group sessions held over Zoom were found to be effective for the 22 people participating, as measures for anxiety and depression improved following treatment. However, the team says definitive randomised control trials are still needed to confirm that it works.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

Our study assesses whether it is feasible to deliver Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TCBT) using Zoom for patients with anxiety and depression in primary care. TCBT targets the common factors shared between anxiety and depression and is appealing because many people have mixed symptoms of anxiety and depression as opposed to a single disorder. We used Zoom to deliver therapy because of the challenges of face-to-face therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recruited participants successfully to the study suggesting that this option is appealing to patients. Clinical measures of anxiety and depression were improved following treatment suggesting promise for this treatment as an intervention for anxiety and depression in primary care.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: University of Otago, Hillmorton Hospital, NZ; Private practitioner, NZ

Funder: n/a

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