Adding an App-Based Intervention to the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy in Routine Outpatient Psychotherapy Treatment: Proof-of-Concept Study
Background: The Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) is an empirically supported psychotherapeutic treatment developed specifically for persistent depressive disorder. However, given the high rates of nonresponse and relapse, there is a need for optimization. Studies sugge...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Philipps-Universität Marburg
2022
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | PDF Full Text |
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Summary: | Background: The Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) is an empirically supported
psychotherapeutic treatment developed specifically for persistent depressive disorder. However, given the high rates of nonresponse
and relapse, there is a need for optimization. Studies suggest that outcomes can be improved by increasing the treatment dose
via, for example, the continuous web-based application of therapy strategies between sessions. The strong emphasis in CBASP
on the therapeutic relationship, combined with limited therapeutic availabilities, encourages the addition of web-based interventions
to face-to-face therapy in terms of blended therapy.
Objective: The aim of this study was to test an app-based intervention called CBASPath, which was designed to be used as a
blended therapy tool. CBASPath offers 8 sequential modules with app-based exercises to facilitate additional engagement with
the therapy content and a separate exercise to conduct situational analyses within the app at any time.
Methods: CBASPath was tested in an open pilot study as part of routine outpatient CBASP treatment. Participating patients
were asked to report their use patterns and blended use (integrated use of the app as part of therapy sessions) at 3 assessment
points over the 6-month test period and rate the usability and quality of and their satisfaction with CBASPath.
Results: The results of the pilot trial showed that 93% (12/13) of participants used CBASPath as a blended tool during their
therapy and maintained this throughout the study period. Overall, they reported good usability and quality ratings along with high
user satisfaction. All participants showed favorable engagement with CBASPath; however, the frequency of use differed widely
among the participants and assessment points. Situational analysis was used by all participants, and the number of completed
modules ranged from 1 to 7. All participants reported blended use, although the frequency of integration in the face-to-face
sessions varied widely.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the digital augmentation of complex and highly interactive CBASP therapy in the form
of blended therapy with CBASPath is feasible in routine outpatient care. Therapeutic guidance might contribute to high adherence
and increase patient self-management. A few adjustments, such as saving entries directly in the app, could facilitate higher user
engagement. A randomized controlled trial is now needed to investigate the efficacy and added value of this blended approach.
In the long term, CBASPath could help optimize persistent depressive disorder treatment and reduce relapse by intensifying
therapy and providing long-term patient support through the app. |
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Item Description: | Gefördert durch den Open-Access-Publikationsfonds der UB Marburg. |
Physical Description: | 16 Pages |
DOI: | 10.2196/35482 |