Treating Youth Depression and Anxiety: A Randomised Controlled Trial Examining the Efficacy of Computerised versus Face-to-face Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Barriers to accessing psychologists for the treatment of depression and anxiety include a shortage of specialised therapists, long waiting lists, and the affordability of therapy. This study examined the efficacy of a computerised-based self-help program (MoodGYM) delivered in-conjunction with face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to expand the delivery avenues of psychological treatment for young adults (aged 18-25 years). Eighty-nine participants suffering from depression and/or generalised anxiety were randomly allocated to a control intervention or to one of three experimental groups: receiving face-to-face CBT, receiving computerised CBT (cCBT), or receiving treatment in-conjunction (face-to-face CBT and cCBT). While MoodGYM did not significantly decrease depression in comparison to the control group, significant decreases were found for anxiety. MoodGYM delivered in-conjunction with face-to-face CBT is more effective in treating symptoms of depression and anxiety compared with standalone face-to-face or cCBT. This study suggests that for youth who are unable to access face-to-face therapy-such as those in rural or remote regions, or for communities in which there is stigma attached to seeking help-computerised therapy may be a viable option. This is an important finding, especially in light of the current capacity-to-treat and accessibility problems faced by youth when seeking treatment for depression and/or anxiety.