Internet-based indicated prevention of anxiety and depression disorder onset three-arm randomized clinical trial

Zarski, Anna-Carlotta ; Weisel, Kiona K. ; Berger, Thomas ; Krieger, Tobias ; Schaub, Michael P. ; Berking, Matthias ; Görlich, Dennis ; Jacobi, Corinna ; Baños, Rosa ; Botella, Cristina ; Herrero, Rocio (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Ebert, David D.

Resumen: Preventing mental disorders is important to avoiding clinical conditions. This study evaluated the efficacy of internet-based indicated prevention for anxiety and depressive disorders. In a three-arm randomized controlled trial, 566 adults with subthreshold anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 5) and/or depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 16), but no clinical diagnosis in the past six months (MINI 6.0), were assigned to either an individually (IG-IMI, n = 186) or automatically (AG-IMI, n = 189) guided digital intervention, or waitlist control (WLC, n = 191). The digital intervention comprised 8 transdiagnostic, self-tailored, CBT-based sessions. The primary outcome was time to onset of any anxiety or depressive disorder over 12 months, assessed via blinded diagnostic interviews (MINI). AD/DD onset was 19.4% in IG-IMI, 14.8% in AG-IMI, and 30.9% in WLC. Cumulative incidence was 23.1% (IG-IMI), 20.7% (AG-IMI), and 36.0% (WLC; p < 0.001). Hazard ratios were 0.59 and 0.47; NNTs were 7.76 and 5.79. Both individually guided and automated interventions effectively reduced AD/DD incidence. Trial Registration: The study was preregistered in the German Clinical Trial Registration (DRKS00011099;https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00011099).

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1038/s41746-025-01990-8

Año: 2025

Publicado en: npj digital medicine 8, 589 (2025), 7
ISSN: 2398-6352

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/634757/EU/Integrating Technology into Mental Health Care Delivery in Europe/ICare

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Person.Eval.Trat.Psicoló. (Dpto. Psicología y Sociología)