Table 3Characteristics of Included Clinical Studies

First Author, Year, CountryStudy Design ObjectivesIntervention ComparatorsPatientsMain Study Outcomes
Forand,12 2018, USRCT. Single center.

Therapist contact was synchronous (with 3 prearranged phone calls and 1 prearranged email)

“We report results of an 8-week waitlist controlled trial of guided iCBT” (p 295)		Therapist-guided iCBT (8-week computerized, internet-delivered, CBT)
(n = 59)

Wait list (n = 30)		Adults with depression (severity and comorbidities not reported)Efficacy: difference in posttreatment depressive symptoms between iCBT and wait list, determined by PHQ-9

Dropout rate
Thase,13 2018, USRCT. Multicenter.
Non-inferiority assumption if the expected difference between the intervention and comparator is a small to moderate effect.

The method of therapist contact was not clear whether it was synchronous or asynchronous

“The authors evaluated the efficacy and durability of a therapist-supported method for computer-assisted cognitive-behavioral therapy (CCBT) in comparison to standard cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)” (p 242)		Therapist-guided cCBT (16-week Internet-delivered CBT)
(n = 77)

Standard CBT for 16 weeks (n = 77)		Adults with MDD (severity and comorbidities not reported)Efficacy: change from pre-treatment in depressive symptoms for cCBT and standard face-to-face CBT, determined by HAM-D score

Completion rate

Remission rate
Hatcher,14 2018, Canada, New ZealandRCT. Single center.

The method of therapist contact was not clear whether it was synchronous or asynchronous

“This study aimed to test in people referred to secondary care with depression if a Web-based therapy (The Journal) supported by a coach plus usual care would be more effective in reducing depression compared with usual care plus an information leaflet about Web-based resources after 12 weeks” (p 1)		Therapist-guided wCBT (12-week web based CBT) plus usual care
(n = 35)

Usual care for 12 weeks (n = 28)		Adults with depression (severity and comorbidities not reported)Efficacy: change from pre-treatment in depressive symptoms for wCBT + usual care, and usual care alone, determined by PHQ9 score
Kordy,15 2016, GermanyRCT. Multicenter.

Therapist contact was synchronous (with one-on-one chats)

“Strategies to improve the life of patients suffering from recurrent major depression have a high relevance. This study examined the efficacy of 2 Internet-delivered augmentation strategies that aim to prolong symptom-free intervals”.		Therapist-guided i-CBT (12-week internet-delivered CBT)
(n = 79)

TAU for 12 months (n = 80)		Adults with recurrent MDD (severity and comorbidities not reported)Efficacy: number of ‘well’ and ‘unwell’ weeks, determined by the PSR of the LIFE

CBT = cognitive behaviour therapy; cCBT = computer-assisted CBT; HAM-D = Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; iCBT = internet-assisted CBT; LIFE = Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation; MDD = major depressive disorder; oCBT = online-assisted CBT; PHQ9 = 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire; PSR = Psychiatric Status Rating; RCT = randomized controlled trial; TAU = treatment as usual; wCBT = web-based CBT

From: e-Therapy Interventions for the Treatments of Patients with Depression: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness

Cover of e-Therapy Interventions for the Treatments of Patients with Depression: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness
e-Therapy Interventions for the Treatments of Patients with Depression: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness [Internet].
Ho C, Severn M.
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