IntroductionInternet-based guided self-help and face-to-face CBT have shown to be effective in the treatment of depression, but both approaches might not be an available treatment option for all patients. A treatment which blends internet-based guided self-help with video-based psychotherapy might reduce potential disadvantages of both approaches, while maintaining major advantages such as being location-independent. Additionally, it could provide a stronger focus on patient empowerment and lower resource use compared to traditional face-to-face treatment.AimThe aim of this study is to evaluate patient's experiences with blended internet- and video-based CBT (blended iCBT) treatment and to derive suggestions for the improvement of such services.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants of the blended iCBT treatment as part of the European MasterMind trial. Participants included adults suffering from Major Depressive Disorder. The interview guide assessed patient's experiences regarding the four treatment components program, 1. face-to-face diagnostic interviews, 2. video-based synchronous therapy sessions (VTS), 3. online self-help treatment modules (OTM) as well as 4. behaviour diaries and symptom monitoring. Interviews were analyzed using the framework method and outcomes regarding connections within and between participants and categories were generated by counting the statements within relevant themes.ResultsOverall, patients indicated to have been satisfied with all components of the treatment, highlighting the option to independently work from home in their own pace. While the OTMs allowed for a deeper reflection of the content, the VTS with the therapist were mentioned to provide the personal character of the service. The working alliance with the therapist was experienced as fostering the individual fit of the treatment. Patients reported a high self-perceived treatment effectiveness. Negative effects included that some patients felt overwhelmed by the service, e.g. by working with the content of the OTM as they forced them to address their problems. Within the combination of OTM and VTS, both components were rated as equally important and patients felt that the combination depicted a treatment at least equal to regular face-to-face treatment regarding the perceived effectiveness. Other identified themes included patient's individual factors, reactions in their social environment and suggestions for improvement of the service.DiscussionPredominantly, patients reported positive experiences with the blended iCBT service and rate the treatment as adequate and effective to treat their condition. The importance of the VTS is highlighted. Following this approach might be an option to make affordable and effective evidence-based CBT available independent from regional barriers.

Internet-based aftercare interventions are a feasible, accepted and effective approach to successfully sustain treatment outcomes achieved in inpatient psychosomatic rehabilitation.

Several types of psychological treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are considered well established and effective, but evidence of their long-term efficacy is limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the long-term outcomes across psychological treatments for PTSD. MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PTSDpubs, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, and related articles were searched for randomized controlled trials with at least 12 months of follow-up. Twenty-two studies (N = 2638) met inclusion criteria, and 43 comparisons of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) were available at follow-up. Active treatments for PTSD yielded large effect sizes from pretest to follow-up and a small controlled effect size compared with non-directive control groups at follow-up. Trauma-focused treatment (TFT) and non-TFT showed large improvements from pretest to follow-up, and effect sizes did not significantly differ from each other. Active treatments for comorbid depressive symptoms revealed small to medium effect sizes at follow-up, and improved PTSD and depressive symptoms remained stable from treatment end to follow-up. Military personnel, low proportion of female patients, and self-rated PTSD measures were associated with decreased effect sizes for PTSD at follow-up. The findings suggest that CBT for PTSD is efficacious in the long term. Future studies are needed to determine the lasting efficacy of other psychological treatments and to confirm benefits beyond 12-month follow-up.

ObjectiveTo perform a systematic review, and if possible a meta-analysis, to establish whether depressed patients with co-morbid chronic somatic illnesses are a high risk “double trouble” group for depressive recurrence.MethodThe databases PubMed, EMbase and PsycINFO were systematically searched until the 4th of December 2012 by using MeSH and free text terms. Additionally, reference lists of retrieved publications and treatment guidelines were reviewed, and experts were consulted. Inclusion criteria were: depression had to be measured at least twice during the study with qualified instruments and the chronic somatic illness had to be assessed by self-report or by a medical professional. Information on depressive recurrence was extracted and additionally risk ratios of recurrence were calculated.ResultsThe search generated four articles that fulfilled our inclusion criteria. These studies showed no differences in recurrence over one- two- three- and 6.5 years of follow-up for a total of 2010 depressed patients of which 694 patients with a co-morbid chronic somatic illness versus 1316 patients without (Study 1: RR = 0.49, 95% CI, 0.17–1.41 at one year follow-up and RR = 1.37, 95% CI, 0.78–2.41 at two year follow-up; Study 2: RR = 0.94, 95% CI, 0.65–1.36 at two year follow-up; Study 3: RR = 1.15, 95% CI, 0.40–3.27 at one year follow-up; RR = 1.07, 95% CI, 0.48–2.42 at two year follow-up and RR = 0.99, 95% CI,0.55–1.77 at 6.5 years follow-up; Study 4: RR = 1.16, 95% CI, 0.86–1.57 at three year follow-up).ConclusionWe found no association between a heightened risk for depressive recurrence and co-morbid chronic somatic illnesses. There is a need for more longitudinal studies to justify the current specific treatment advice such as long-term pharmacological maintenance treatment for this presumed “double trouble” group.

Hintergrund: Schwierigkeiten, Geschlechtsverkehr zu haben trotz bestehenden Wunsches, stellen für Frauen mit Genito-Pelviner Schmerz-Penetrationsstörung (GPSPS) eine große Belastung dar. Die Verfügbarkeit spezifischer Therapieangebote für sexuelle Funktionsstörungen bei Frauen ist begrenzt und existierende Therapiemöglichkeiten werden oftmals aus Schamgefühlen nicht in Anspruch genommen. Internetbasierte Behandlungsansätze können einen niedrigschwelligen, anonymen, zeit- und ortsunabhängigen spezialisierten Therapiezugang ermöglichen. Bislang liegt noch kein wissenschaftlich evaluiertes Programm für die Behandlung von GPSPS vor. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es deshalb, den Therapieleitfaden eines neu entwickelten internetbasierten, begleiteten Behandlungsprogramms für GPSPS (Paivina-Care) vorzustellen sowie exemplarisch die Akzeptanz und Zufriedenheit und den subjektiven Nutzen anhand eines Fallberichtes darzustellen. Methodik: Das Rational und der Therapieleitfaden des Behandlungsprogramms werden vorgestellt. Die Falldarstellung nach der Case Reporting (CARE)-Leitlinie präsentiert eine Patientin mit erfolgreichem Behandlungsverlauf sowie qualitative und quantitative Erfolgsmaße. Ergebnisse: Die Kasuistik zeigt, dass das kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutische Programm basierend auf Schmerz- und Sexualtherapie unter Einbezug des Partners die GPSPS bei der vorgestellten Patientin erfolgreich behandeln konnte und mit hoher Therapiezufriedenheit Schmerzen und sexualitätsbezogene Ängste und negative Kognitionen reduzieren sowie Geschlechtsverkehr ermöglichen konnte. Derzeit erfolgt eine randomisiert-kontrollierte Wirksamkeitsuntersuchung an 200 Frauen mit GPSPS. Schlussfolgerung: Das internetbasierte Behandlungsprogramm bietet Frauen mit GPSPS eine flexible Behandlungsmöglichkeit, die sie anonym, zeit- und ortsunabhängig nutzen können.