Cited by 86Digital Mental Health InterventionsAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesMental Health Research Topics

Efficacy of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for moderate‐to‐severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial

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Carl, Jenna R., Miller, Christopher B., Henry, Alasdair L., Davis, Michelle L., Stott, Richard, Smits, Jasper A. J., Emsley, Richard, Gu, Jenny +6 more·2020·Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an efficacious intervention for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Digital CBT may provide a scalable means of delivering CBT at a population level. We investigated the efficacy of a novel digital CBT program in those with GAD for outcomes of anxiety, worry, depressive symptoms, sleep difficulty, wellbeing, and participant-specific quality of life. METHODS: This online, two-arm parallel-group superiority randomized controlled trial compared digital CBT with waitlist control in 256 participants with moderate-to-severe symptoms of GAD. Digital CBT (Daylight), was delivered using participants' own smartphones. Online assessments took place at baseline (Week 0; immediately preceding randomization), mid-intervention (Week 3; from randomization), post-intervention (Week 6; primary endpoint), and follow-up (Week 10). RESULTS: Overall, 256 participants were randomized and intention-to-treat analysis found Daylight reduced symptoms of anxiety compared with waitlist control at post-intervention, reflecting a large effect size (adjusted difference [95% CI]: 3.22 [2.14, 4.31], d = 1.08). Significant improvements were found for measures of worry; depressive symptoms, sleep difficulty, wellbeing, and participant-specific quality of life. CONCLUSION: Digital CBT (Daylight) appears to be safe and efficacious for symptoms of anxiety, worry, and further measures of mental health compared with waitlist control in individuals with GAD.

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Crossref · 10.1002/da.23079

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Authors
Carl, J. R., Miller, C. B., Henry, A. L., Davis, M. L., Stott, R., Smits, J. A. J., Emsley, R., Gu, J., Shin, O., Otto, M. W., Craske, M. G., Saunders, K. E. A., Goodwin, G. M., & Espie, C. A.
Affiliations
  • Big Health Inc. (United States) (US)
  • University of Oxford (GB)
  • The University of Texas at Austin (US)
  • King's College London (GB)
  • Boston University (US)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (US)
  • Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
Corresponding author
Miller, Christopher B.
Venue
Depression and Anxiety
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2020-07-29
Volume
37
Issue
12
Pages
1168-1178
ISSN
  • 1091-4269 (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-6394
OpenAlex
W3046020930
Cited by
86
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 1
FWCI
7.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Depression and Anxiety (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
Keywords
generalized anxiety disorder, digital cognitive behavioral therapy, online psychological intervention, anxiety symptoms, worry, depressive symptoms, sleep disorders, well-being, quality of life, waitlist control
MeSH terms
Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Humans, Quality of Life, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome

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