Objective:

To compare the effectiveness of a smartphone-delivered digital cognitive behavioral therapy (DCBT) program against an active psychoeducation control in adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Approach:

Key Findings:

• 71.0% of DCBT participants achieved remission compared to 34.6% in the psychoeducation group at 10 weeks.
• Remission rates at 24 weeks were 77.7% for DCBT and 52.0% for psychoeducation.
• DCBT participants showed significantly lower GAD-7 scores at all postbaseline time points.
• Secondary outcomes, including depressive symptoms and sleep quality, also improved more in the DCBT group.

Interpretation:

The DCBT program demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing anxiety symptoms and achieving remission compared to psychoeducation, with sustained benefits over 24 weeks.

Limitations:

• The trial's self-directed nature may limit generalizability to populations requiring more intensive support.
• Engagement analyses indicated a dose–response relationship, suggesting outcomes may vary based on participant engagement.

Conclusion:

DCBT could enhance access to effective treatment for GAD, particularly in areas with limited therapist availability, and may serve as a scalable option within stepped-care models.

Sources:

• JAMA Network Open
Attribution Notice

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.