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In people with suicidal ideation, the use of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy improves depression while demonstrating only minimal or no impact on hopelessness and anxiety.
In a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the "Journal of Medical Internet Research", Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) showed substantial improvements in depression outcomes for individuals dealing with suicidal ideation. However, its impact on anxiety and hopelessness was found to be either minimal or non-existent. Lasse B Sander et al. aimed to determine the impact of digital interventions targeting suicidal ideation on associated mental health symptoms, including hopelessness, anxiety, and depression.
For searching randomized controlled trials exploring unguided or guided iCBT for suicidal ideation or behaviors, databases such as PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, and CENTRAL were explored. Volunteers who reported baseline suicidal ideation were considered eligible. Individual participant data (IPD) were gathered from qualifying trials, and a one-stage IPD meta-analysis was carried out to assess the impact on hopelessness, anxiety, and depression, assessed as two indices: treatment response and symptom severity.
IPD from eight out of nine eligible trials were incorporated, involving 1980 subjects with suicidal ideation. iCBT demonstrated noteworthy decreases in depression severity (b=-0.17) and increased treatment response (i.e., 50% reduction of depressive symptoms; b=0.36) post-intervention. However, no significant impact on hopelessness and anxiety was observed. Suicidal ideation-specific iCBT is likely to lead to a reduction in depressive symptoms; however, individuals with comorbid anxiety and hopelessness might require supplementary treatment components.
These promising results highlight the potential of digital interventions in helping individuals battling suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. To gain a deeper understanding of the complex interaction between suicidality and related mental health symptoms, further studies are required that monitor symptoms more frequently and consider a broader range of factors influencing suicidal ideation.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
The Effects of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicidal Ideation or Behaviors on Depression, Anxiety, and Hopelessness in Individuals With Suicidal Ideation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data
Lasse B Sander et al.
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