Advances in digital CBT: where are we now, and where next?

Abstract

Digital CBT refers to the use of digital tools, platforms or devices to deliver or enhance cognitive behavioural therapy assessment, formulation, treatment, training and supervision. The ‘Advances in Digital CBT’ special issue aimed to document examples of innovative digital CBT practice in this rapidly developing field. In this paper, we have briefly summarised and synthesised the advances demonstrated in this group of articles. These include developments in our understanding of mental health apps, the use of digital tools as an adjunct to therapy, the effectiveness of remotely delivered CBT in routine clinical practice, our understanding of user experiences and involvement, and in digital CBT research methods. We consider the extent of current knowledge in these areas and identify where gaps in evidence lie and how the field could be taken forward to address these. Lastly, we reflect on the broader digital CBT picture and offer our suggestions of six key directions for future research: using robust study designs to evaluate and optimise digital tools; translating and culturally adapting digital tools and practices; understanding and addressing digital exclusion; exploring, reporting and addressing possible negative effects; improving user involvement in design and evaluation; and addressing the implementation gap for digital tools. We suggest that further advances in these areas would be of particular benefit to the digital CBT field. Key learning aims (1) To gain an overview of the articles in the special issue and an understanding of the advances in digital CBT they represent. (2) To understand how the advances suggested by the present studies could be taken forward and extended. (3) To consider key future directions for further advances in digital CBT.

Neuropsychological Consequences of Massive Trauma: Implications and Clinical Interventions

“…Recent research indicates that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a reliable method for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), providing immediate and long-term relief for various types of traumas [91][92][93]. CBT proves to be as effective as, or more effective than, alternative psychological treatments and/or medication, even via digital platforms providing CBT [94].…”

Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for reducing pain susceptibility and increasing social engagement in patients with chronic low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…However, there are still many shortcomings in the research of CBT and other psychological treatments for chronic low back pain, such as the way of implementation, duration and time of treatment, which have a great impact on the effectiveness. The development of digital CBT to provide more convenient and specific treatment [ 52 , 53 ] and to maximize the efficacy of CBT or other psychological treatments for patients with chronic low back pain is a direction that needs to be drilled in the future. Further, well-designed RCTs are also needed for secondary studies to provide high-quality evidence.…”

Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) als Digitalintervention der Zukunft? Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede von KI-basierten Interventionen und digitalen Interventionen ohne KI

“…KVT ist eine der am besten untersuchten Therapieformen und die meisten digitalen Interventionen, die im Forschungskontext entwickelt und evaluiert wurden, basieren ebenfalls auf der KVT (siehe zum Beispiel Polak et al, 2021). Digitale KVT kann allgemein definiert werden als die Verwendung digitaler Werkzeuge, Plattformen oder Geräte zur Durchführung oder Verbesserung der kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie (Thew et al, 2022). Behandlungsergebnissen sowie Abbruchwahrscheinlichkeiten zu liefern (Hilbert et.…”