Long-Term Effectiveness of an Online Self-help Intervention for People with HIV and Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effectiveness (3-4 years later) of an online intervention that was previously found to effectively reduce depressive symptoms in people with HIV on the short term. Participants were people with HIV who had participated in the large RCT on the short-term effectiveness of the guided online intervention. The primary outcome measure was depressive symptoms [Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)] and the secondary outcome measure was anxiety symptoms [Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2) scale]. Forty-seven participants completed the long-term follow-up. PHQ-9 scores, previously found to have been significantly reduced on the short term, remained low on the long term. GAD-2 scores did not decrease significantly on the short term, however, on the long term, a significant decrease was found. The intervention may not only be effective in lowering depressive symptoms on the short term but also retain the results on the long term.Trial registration International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, NL8448, March 3, 2020.

Keywords: Cognitive behavioral therapy; Depression; HIV; Internet-based intervention; Telemedicine.

Fig. 1

Flow chart of participants in the study

Fig. 2

Estimated mean PHQ-9 and GAD-2 scores over time in both intervention groups. Note GAD-2 Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2; PHQ-9 Patient Health Questionnaire-9; T0 pretest; T1 post-test directly after the intervention; T2 long-term follow-up (3–4 years)