williams et al 2013

Question 1

what is CBM?

Answer 1

• cognitive bias modification,
• this is a computerised training procedure were individuals are presented with ambiguous scenarios (i.e. could have multiple meanings/interpretations.) these scenarios are always resolved in a positive manner.
• It is use to train patients to automatically bias their thoughts positively in their day-day lives.

Question 2

what is ICBT?

Answer 2

internet based cognitive behavioural therapy

Question 3

what is primary measures?

Answer 3

aspects within the participants that the researchers measured which were critical to assessing the effectiveness of the programs

Question 4

what is secondary measures?

Answer 4

aspects within the participants that were associated with depression that could be affected by the programs that the researchers wanted to measure.

Question 5

what was the aim of this study?

Answer 5

• To find out if a combined treatment of a seven-day CBM training programme with internet based CBT directly afterwards for 10-weeks would be effective in reducing symptoms of depression.
• Using self-report data to compare the improvement between the intervention group and a control group who were on a waiting list.

Question 6

What was the min sample size for each group ?

Answer 6

21 but more were recruited due to expected attrition.

Question 7

where were participants recruited from?

Answer 7

the clinical research unit for anxiety and depression

Question 8

what did applicants have to do initially?

Answer 8

complete an online screening questionnaire

Question 9

what happened if applicants were successful after the online screening questionnaire?

Answer 9

• they received a telephone interview using the mini international neuropsychiatric interview version 5.0.0

Question 10

how many people completed the electronic consent form?

Answer 10

60 and they were then randomised into either control group or intervention

Question 11

how many participants were in the control group/ waiting list?

Answer 11

• Control group = 31 (20 actually completed it)

Question 12

how many participants were in the intervention group?

Answer 12

• 38 ( 22 actually completed it)

Question 13

what primary measures were used?

Answer 13

• The Beck depression Inventory - edition 2
• he Nine-item depression scale of patient health questionnaire.
• Kessler psychological Distress scale
• Ambiguous scenario’s test

Question 14

what secondary measures were used?

Answer 14

• World health organisation disability assessment
• State and trait anxiety inventory
• Repetitive thinking questionnaire.

Question 15

what kind of questions were asked in the questionnaires?

Answer 15

the expectancy and outcome questionnaires:
- “at this point, how logical is the program offered to you seem? (0 = no very, up to 4 = very logical)

• “At this point, how useful do you think the programme offered to you will be in reducing your depression symptoms?” (0- not very useful, up to 4 = very useful.)

Question 16

How many sessions did the CBM-I component consist of?

Answer 16

Seven sessions (20 mins each) of imagery focused CBM completed daily over the course of a week. `

Question 17

what did the 10 week ICBT sessions involve?

Answer 17

• Consisted of the sadness program which features 6 cartoon like situations showing a person with depression focussing of specific issues.
• Each situation includes homework and ptps can email if they need support or help.
• The entire assessment was completed online with no face-face contact

Question 18

did all participants complete the primary and secondary baseline measures?

Answer 18

yes

Question 19

what followed the primary and secondary baseline measures?

Answer 19

this was followed by either the 7-day CBM or the wait list - primary measures were then asked

Question 20

what followed after the CBM for 7-days and primary measures being asked again?

Answer 20

• 10-week ICBT or waiting list

- and then all patients completed the baseline questionnaires.

Question 21

what did the waiting list do after the 7 day CBM and 10 week ICBT ?

Answer 21

they then commenced ICBT course.

Question 22

what statistical test was used?

Answer 22

• chi squared

- nominal data

Question 23

What % of significant change was found in the intervention group compared to WLC?

Answer 23

27% intervention

0.07 control

Question 24

how do we know that there was some affect from the CBM?

Answer 24

• the AST-D mean score for the intervention group increased slightly suggesting an increase in positive interpretation.
  ( 4.18 before 4.67 after.)

Question 25

how is this study ethical?

Answer 25

69 participants used all gave electronic informed consent before the study began and were put through a screening process to check their suitability for the treatment.

Question 26

how were individual differences managed?

Answer 26

they compared control and intervention on age, gender and types of medication they were on to see if there was any differences and there wasn’t which ensures the validity.

Question 27

does the study have ecological validity?

Answer 27

yes as participants took the study in the comfort of their own homes, and it was their natural environment.

Question 28

why might the study lack validity in other areas?

Answer 28

• uses self report data which may suffer from bias.