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BACKGROUND Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the gold standard of psychotherapy for psychiatric disorders. However, the format of delivering CBT in person limits access to the intervention. The advancements in information and communication technology, especially the internet, present an opportunity for cognitive behavioral therapists to service patients or clients in remote areas through videoconferencing. Although many randomized controlled trials of videoconference-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (VCBT) have already been conducted, the overall estimated effect size of VCBT for psychiatric disorders has not been examined by systematic reviews and meta-analyses. OBJECTIVE This study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of VCBT for psychiatric disorders through a systematic and meta-analytic review. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in which VCBT was directly compared to control groups (such as treatment as usual, attention control, wait-list control, and other minimal supports) was carried out. To identify previous studies that meet our study objective, 2 independent reviewers undertook a systematic search through seven databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, Science Direct, PsycINFO, CINAHL, LILACS, and SciELO. Other databases (ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane Central Resister of Controlled Trials) were also checked. All studies included in the review were assessed using the quality criteria of the Cochrane Collaboration. Statistical analysis was performed by using Cochrane Review Manager (RevMan, version 5.4.0). Standardized mean difference was used in major meta-analyses where a P value of .05 or less was the threshold for statistical significance. A heterogeneity test and the chi-square test were performed to assess the presence and extent of statistical heterogeneity with significance set at P RESULTS The systematic search resulted in 16 studies (total N=1745) that met the criteria for this study and were included in the review. There were 10 studies on depressive symptoms, 3 on chronic pain, 1 on generalized anxiety disorder, 1 on obsessive-compulsive disorder, and 1 on hypochondriasis. The quality and risk of bias was also assessed. Results showed a pooled effect size (Hedge g) post treatment of −0.49 (95% CI –0.68 to –0.29), indicating that VCBT is effective for clients with psychiatric disorders. Study quality did not affect outcomes. CONCLUSIONS While the overall results indicate the effectiveness of VCBT, there are still only a limited number of studies on specific psychiatric and somatic conditions. Therefore, more randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the effectiveness of VCBT for different disorders. CLINICALTRIAL International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42021224832; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=224832

BACKGROUND Cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder has been established, but access to this therapy in Japan is limited. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy may improve treatment accessibility and sufficiently improve obsessive-compulsive symptoms. There are few randomized controlled trials examining the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. We designed a randomized controlled trial protocol to assess the effectiveness of guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy in Japanese patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. OBJECTIVE We aimed to develop a protocol for a randomized controlled trial of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy in Japanese patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. METHODS The randomized controlled trial will compare internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy treatment and usual care groups, each consisting of 15 participants (n=30) diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. We will evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week intervention. The primary outcome of symptom severity will be measured using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Secondary outcomes will be assessed with the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Working Alliance Inventory-Short Form, and the Euro Qol – 5 Dimension. All measures will be assessed at weeks 0 (baseline) and 12 (follow-up). In the statistical analysis comparing treatment effects, the least-squares means and their 95% CIs will be estimated by analysis of covariance with the change in total outcomes scores at week 12. All comparisons are planned, and all P values will be two-sided, with values RESULTS The study will be performed from January 2020 to March 2021, and results are expected to be available in mid-2021. CONCLUSIONS The trial will demonstrate whether internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy improves access and is more effective than more usual care for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder in Japan. CLINICALTRIAL University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) 000039375; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000044422 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/18216

BACKGROUND Face-to-face individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and internet-based CBT (ICBT) without videoconferencing are known to have long-term effectiveness for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD). However, videoconference-delivered CBT (VCBT) has not been investigated regarding its long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of VCBT for patients with OCD, PD, or SAD in Japan via a 1-year follow-up to our previous 16-week single-arm study. METHODS Written informed consent was obtained from 25 of 29 eligible patients with OCD, PD, and SAD who had completed VCBT in our clinical trial. Participants were assessed at baseline, end of treatment, and at the follow-up end points of 3, 6, and 12 months. Outcomes were the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder–7 (GAD-7), and EuroQol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L). To analyze long-term effectiveness, we used mixed-model analysis of variance. To analyze cost-effectiveness, we employed relevant public data and derived data on VCBT implementation costs from Japanese national health insurance data. RESULTS Four males and 21 females with an average age of 35.1 (SD 8.6) years participated in the 1-year follow-up study. Principal diagnoses were OCD (n=10), PD (n=7), and SAD (n=8). The change at 12 months on the Y-BOCS was −4.1 (F1=4.45, P=.04), the change in PDSS was −4.4 (F1=6.83, P=.001), and the change in LSAS was −30.9 (F1=6.73, P=.01). The change in the PHQ-9 at 12 months was −2.7 (F1=7.72, P=.007), and the change in the GAD-7 was −3.0 (F1=7.09, P=.009). QALY at 12 months was 0.7469 (SE 0.0353, 95% Cl 0.6728-0.821), and the change was a significant increase of 0.0379 (P=.01). Total costs to provide the VCBT were ¥60,800 to ¥81,960 per patient. The set threshold was ¥189,500 ($1723, €1579, and £1354) calculated based on willingness to pay in Japan. CONCLUSIONS VCBT was a cost-effective way to effectively treat Japanese patients with OCD, PD, or SAD. CLINICALTRIAL University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000026609; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000030495

BACKGROUND A major problem in providing mental health services is the lack of access to treatment, especially in remote areas. Thus far, no clinical studies have demonstrated the feasibility of Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) with real-time therapist support via videoconference for bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge-eating disorder (BED) at the same time in Japan. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of ICBT via videoconference for patients with BN or BED. METHODS Five Japanese subjects (mean age 35.4 ± 9.2 years) with BN and BED received 16 weekly sessions of individualized ICBT via videoconference with real-time therapist support. Treatment included CBT tailored specifically to the presenting diagnosis. The primary outcome was a reduction in the Eating Disorder Examination interview-16 (EDE 16) for BN and BED: the combined objective binge and purging episodes; objective binge episodes; purging episodes. The secondary outcomes were the EDE-Q, the Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh, body mass index for eating symptoms, the Motivational Ruler for motivation to change, the EuroQol-5 Dimension for quality of life, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire-7 for anxiety, and the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Form (WAI-SF). All outcomes were assessed at week 1 (baseline) and at weeks 8 (mid intervention), and 16 (post intervention) during therapy. Patients were asked about adverse events at each session. For the primary analysis, treatment-related changes were assessed by comparing participant scores and the 95% confidence intervals using the paired t-test. RESULTS Although the mean combined objective binge episodes and purging episodes improved from 47.60 to 13.60 (71% reduction) and showed a medium effect size (Cohen’s d, -0.76), there was no significant reduction in the combined these episodes (EDE 16D, -41; 95% confidence interval -2.089, 0.576; P = 0.17). There were no significant treatment-related changes in the secondary outcomes. The WAI-SF scores remained consistently high (64.8–66.0) during treatment. CONCLUSIONS ICBT via videoconference is feasible in Japanese patients with BN and BED. CLINICALTRIAL UMIN000029426

BACKGROUND The therapist-patient therapeutic alliance is known to be an important factor in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, findings by previous studies for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD) have not been consistent regarding whether this alliance provides symptomatic improvements. OBJECTIVE This study investigated predictors of symptom improvement in patients receiving CBT via video conferencing. METHODS A total of 29 patients who participated in a previous clinical trial were recruited for the current study. Therapeutic alliance and clinical background in patients with OCD, PD, and SAD were measured at first session or the eighth session, which were calculated by multiple regression analyses to estimate the impact on therapeutic response percentage change. RESULTS The multiple regression analyses showed that, among the independent variables, only patients’ agreement in the therapeutic alliance remained viable, as other variables were a best fit for the excluded model (P=.002). The results show that patients’ agreement on therapeutic goals and tasks explains the prognosis, as the normalization factor beta was 0.54 (SE 32.73; 95% CI 1.23-5.17; P=.002) and the adjusted R2 was .266. CONCLUSIONS Patients' agreement on therapeutic goals and tasks predicts improvement after CBT via video conferencing.

BACKGROUND The therapist-patient therapeutic alliance is known as an important factor in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, findings by previous studies for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) have not been consistent on whether this alliance provides symptomatic improvements. OBJECTIVE This study investigated predictors of symptom improvement in patients receiving CBT via videoconference. METHODS Twenty-nine patients who performed the previous clinical trial participated in current study. Therapeutic Alliance and clinical background in patients with OCD, PD, and SAD were measured at first session and 8th, which were calculated by multiple regression analysis to estimate the impact on therapeutic response rates. RESULTS The multiple regression analysis showed that among the independent variables, only patients’ agreement in therapeutic alliance remained; other variables were a best fit for the excluded model (P = .002). The result show patients’ agreement on therapeutic goal and task explains the prognosis: the normalization factor β was 0.540 (P = .002), the adjusted R-squared was 0.266. CONCLUSIONS Patients' agreement on therapeutic goal and task predicts improvement after ICBT via videoconference.