Scheduled telephone support in internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for depression: randomized controlled trials of two populations

Key Points

• The study aims to assess the effectiveness of scheduled telephone support in enhancing adherence and symptom improvement during internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.
• Randomized controlled trials involving 101 patients receiving iCBT for depression.
• Patients were divided into two groups: standard iCBT and iCBT with scheduled telephone support (STS).
• Adherence was measured by progress through treatment milestones like mid-treatment and therapy completion.
• Both groups showed improvement in depression symptoms.
• STS improved adherence by increasing the rates of reaching mid-treatment and completing therapy.
• STS did not enhance symptom improvement compared to the standard group among the general population, but it was effective in the at-risk population.