An evaluation of online CBT (IESO) for young people (12-17)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An evaluation of online cognitive behaviour therapy (IESO) for young people (12-17) attending CAMHS with anxiety and depression.
IRAS ID
233743
Contact name
Paul Stallard
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Anxiety and depression are common problems during adolescence. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is an effective and recommended first line treatment for these problems. However, few children with anxiety or depressive disorders receive treatment. There is a lack of suitably trained CBT therapists and young people are often reluctant to engage in face to face therapy.
The use of the internet to deliver and support mental health interventions with adults has seen some positive results. This offers increased choice about the format of treatment, improved accessibility, greater convenience, less travel and reduced stigma arising from attending a service. Although children and young people are very familiar with and frequent users of technology, few studies have evaluated the use of internet delivered CBT with this age group.
Online CBT (IESO) is now being offered to young people (aged 12-17) with anxiety and depression attending specialist child and adolescent mental health services provided by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. Eligible young people will be offered online CBT (IESO) and will be invited to participate in an evaluation led by the University of Bath. If they consent, they will participate in assessments before using online CBT (IESO) and again after completing the programme. Standardised assessments will assess symptoms of anxiety and depression with a post user satisfaction questionnaire assessing acceptability.
An analysis will be undertaken to assess whether online CBT (IESO) is acceptable to adolescents and whether it results in improvements in anxiety and depression. This study will determine the future use of online CBT (IESO) within Oxford Health and will inform a more robust evaluation.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EM/0373
Date of REC Opinion
9 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion