Skip to main content

Table 1 Characteristics of Studies of Internet-based anxiety and depression interventions among children, youth, and young adults

From: Effectiveness of internet-based interventions for children, youth, and young adults with anxiety and/or depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Reference

Study design

Participant

No. of participants

Intervention

Outcome

    

Intervention contents

Intervention duration

Primary outcomes

Time of measurement

Keller, 2010 [11]

2-arm RCT (Internet program vs. Waitlist control)

Children with anxiety and mothers

37

Computer-based CBT program (self-help + therapist support)

12 weeks

Anxiety, depression, and social phobia symptom assessment scores

Baseline, 6 and 12 weeks after the intervention

March, 2009 [24]

2-arm RCT (Internet-based CBT vs. Waitlist control)

Children (7–12 years) with anxiety disorders and parents

73

Computer -based CBT program (self-help sessions + therapist support through email and phone)

10 weeks for children and 6 weeks for parents (60 minutes per session)

Anxiety diagnostic status and severity, number of anxiety diagnoses, anxiety and depression symptom assessment scores

Baseline, the end of intervention, and 6 months after the intervention (for intervention group only)

Storch, 2011 [16]

2-arm RCT (Internet-based CBT vs. Waitlist control)

Children and adolescents (7–16 years) with obsessive compulsive disorder and at least one parent

31

Family based CBT treatment delivered via computer-based internet (self-help sessions + online therapist support)

12 weeks

Anxiety and depression symptom assessment scores, remission rate post intervention

Baseline and the end of intervention

Spence, 2011 [14]

3-arm RCT (Internet-based CBT vs. Clinic-based CBT vs. Waitlist control)

Adolescents (12–18 years) with anxiety disorders and parents

115

Computer -based CBT treatment (self-help session + online therapist support through email) or clinic-based CBT treatment

10 weeks

Anxiety diagnostic status, anxiety and depression symptom severity

Baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention

O’Kearney, 2009 [12]

2-arm RCT (Internet-based curriculum vs. Waitlist control)

Adolescent girls (15–16 years)

157

Computer -based CBT program MoodGYM (self-help + school-based group support + teacher support)

6 weeks (for 3 modules)

Depression diagnosis and symptom assessment scores, attributional style

Baseline, the end of intervention, and 20 weeks after the intervention

Sethi, 2010 [15]

4-arm RCT (Internet-based CBT vs. Face-to-face CBT vs. Combined face-to-face/online CBT vs. Control)

Students (15–25 years) with low or moderate level of anxiety/depression

38

Computer -based CBT program MoodGYM delivered at school or at home (self-help sessions + therapist support)

5 sessions within 3 weeks

Depression, anxiety, and distress symptoms

Baseline and the end of intervention

Reid, 2011 [13]

2-arm RCT (Mobile phone-based intervention vs. Control)

Youth with mild or more severe emotional/mental health issue but no severe psychiatric condition

118

Mobile phone-based self-monitoring + SMS and phone call support by psychologist

6 weeks

Depression, anxiety, and distress symptoms

Baseline, the end of intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention

  1. CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy; RCT, randomized controlled trial; SMS, short text message.