Guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy on reducing perceived stress—a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the effectiveness of guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) for people with mental health problems. Methods: Participants (n = 57) recruited from collaborating mental health and counseling centers in Hong Kong and Shenzhen were randomly assigned to a control group receiving standardized educational information about COVID-19 or an intervention group receiving the guided iCBT with eight online self-study modules and weekly telephone counseling by a social worker and a counselor in addition to the standardized educational information. Results: A dropout rate of 27.58% was recorded in the intervention group. The results of the 2 (group) × 2 (time) repeated measures analysis of variance with modified intention-to-treat analysis showed that the intervention group had a significantly greater reduction in perceived stress compared to the control group. Conclusion: The study results support the effectiveness of guided iCBT in reducing perceived stress.