Implementing Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety in Adults: Systematic Review
Authors: Duffy Daniel , Richards Derek , Hisler Garrett , Timulak Ladislav 
Published: August 2024

Background

Scientific implementation findings relevant to the implementation of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) for depression and anxiety in adults remain sparse and scattered across different sources of published information. Identifying evidence-based factors that influence the implementation of iCBT is key to successfully using iCBT in real-world clinical settings.

Objective

This systematic review evaluated the following: (1) aspects that research articles postulate as important for the implementation of iCBT and (2) aspects relevant to the day-to-day running of iCBT services. A mixed methods systematic review using a convergent synthesis design was conducted to bring together evidence across this sparse literature consisting of divergent scientific article types to investigate the implementation of iCBT for depression and anxiety in adults.

Methods

We searched the PsycINFO, PsycArticles, MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, and Embase databases for any published peer-reviewed scientific articles that report on the implementation of iCBT for depression or anxiety disorders in adults. A total of 40 articles spanning the case study, commentary, meta-analysis, mixed methods study, pilot randomized controlled trial, randomized controlled trial, qualitative study, quantitative study, review, and systematic review article types were identified as eligible for this mixed methods review. Data were analyzed qualitatively using the descriptive-interpretive approach.

Results

The first domain highlighted the impact of therapist and patient attitudes when implementing iCBT, the superiority of guided iCBT over unguided iCBT, its noninferiority to equivalent face-to-face treatments, and its utility outside of the original target of mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety. In total, 3 subdomains were identified under the second domain: (1) the management of iCBT in the workplace, detailing the importance of managing the iCBT service, related staff, and their motivations for using it; (2) the practice of iCBT in the workplace, describing the therapeutic aspects of iCBT provision, such as the provision of support, the background of supporters, and screening procedures; and (3) contextual considerations, detailing the impact of governmental legislation on therapy conducted over the internet, the lack of an iCBT workforce as a limiting factor, and the cost estimates associated with iCBT provision.

Conclusions

Broadly, the findings describe several aspects that should be taken into account when researchers or practitioners implement iCBT as part of their work. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution, as the articles reviewed spanned many article types, and few of the included studies were directly focused on evaluating the implementation of iCBT. While findings provide insight into important factors to consider during iCBT implementation, these findings and their limitations highlight the need for more implementation-specific research in this area.