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. 2023 Jul;58(7):2094-2103.
doi: 10.1002/ppul.26438. Epub 2023 May 5.

Pilot of a therapist-guided digital mental health intervention (eHealth CF-CBT) for adults with cystic fibrosis

Marieke Verkleij  1   2   3 , Anna M Georgiopoulos  4 , Heleen Barendrecht  1 , Deborah Friedman  4
Affiliations

Pilot of a therapist-guided digital mental health intervention (eHealth CF-CBT) for adults with cystic fibrosis

Marieke Verkleij et al. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Background: eHealth CF-CBT is the first digital mental health intervention for depression/anxiety in adults with cystic fibrosis (awCF); an 8-session therapist-guided internet-delivered program that was developed in English and Dutch with stakeholder input and evaluation indicating high acceptability and usability.

Methods: Dutch eHealth CF-CBT was piloted in awCF with mild-moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Feasibility, usability, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy were assessed, measuring pre-post changes in depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), perceived stress (PSS), and health-related quality of life (CFQ-R).

Results: All participants (n = 10, seven female, mean age 29 [range 21-43], mean FEV1 71%pred [range 31-115]) completed all sessions. Patient-rated feasibility, usability, and acceptability of eHealth CF-CBT were positive on validated scales, as were qualitative assessments of content and format. GAD-7 improved in 90% of participants; in 50% by ≥the minimally important difference (MID) of four points. PHQ-9 improved in 90%; 40% by ≥the MID of 5. PSS improved in 80%. CFQ-R improved in the domain health perceptions (70%).

Conclusions: eHealth CF-CBT demonstrated feasibility, usability, acceptability, and promising preliminary efficacy in this pilot trial with Dutch awCF with mild to moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Keywords: anxiety; cognitive-behavioral therapy; cystic fibrosis; depression; digital mental health; psychotherapy.

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References

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