Key Points:
- COMPASS digital cognitive behavioral therapy program participants reported a significant reduction in psychological distress.
- Benefits include lower levels of depression and anxiety, better illness management, enhanced functioning, and improved quality of life.
- The study highlights COMPASS’s potential as a minimal therapist input solution, recommending a national delivery model for broad access, thus easing the burden on healthcare and charity services.
COMPASS digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program
A new study conducted by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London has demonstrated the effectiveness of a therapist-guided digital cognitive behavioral therapy program named COMPASS in significantly reducing psychological distress among individuals living with long-term physical health conditions.
The program was developed with input from the Mind and Body Programme at King’s Health Partners. It adapts standard cognitive behavioral therapy protocols to address mental and physical health needs, offering interactive sessions tailored to individual needs.
Results
A randomized controlled trial involving 194 participants compared COMPASS to standard charity support, incorporating tailored modules and therapist sessions. The findings revealed that, after 12 weeks, participants in the COMPASS group experienced a significant reduction in psychological distress. Results show a 6.82-point lower mean distress level compared to the control group, along with improvements in depression, anxiety, illness-related distress, functioning, and quality of life.
The results suggest that COMPASS, requiring minimal therapist input, is an effective method for reducing psychological distress.
Implications
The research underscores the potential of COMPASS as a scalable and effective intervention for managing anxiety and depression in people whose long-term physical health condition is a primary cause of their mental health challenges.
The study researchers recommend a healthcare delivery model through a national hub for efficient access. It highlights the benefits of minimal therapist intervention and remote administration. To potentially relieve the demand for charity services and healthcare providers.
Reference
Picariello, Federica, Katrin Hulme, Natasha Seaton, Joanna L. Hudson, Sam Norton, Abigail Wroe, and Rona Moss-Morris. 2024. “A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Digital Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program (COMPASS) for Managing Depression and Anxiety Related to Living with a Long-Term Physical Health Condition.” Psychological Medicine, February, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291723003756.
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