Web-Based, Human-Guided, or Computer-Guided Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in University Students With Anxiety and Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Findings:
Web-based interventions were marginally more effective than usual care over 6 months.
All groups showed significant improvement in depression and anxiety symptoms over time.
Participants in the human-guided condition attended more sessions than those in the computer-guided condition.
Practical Solutions and Value:
The transdiagnostic iCBT program provides a practical, feasible, and effective alternative to usual care for addressing mental health problems in a large university setting.
There is no indication that human guidance is superior to technological guidance, but the potential preference for human support depends on the scale of implementation and cost-effectiveness.
Conclusion:
The study demonstrates the practicality and effectiveness of the transdiagnostic iCBT program in a university setting, and highlights the importance of considering the scale of implementation and cost-effectiveness when choosing between human and technological guidance.
