Internet-delivered treatment for older adults with anxiety and depression: implementation of the Wellbeing Plus Course in routine clinical care and comparison with research trial outcomes.

BACKGROUND

The Wellbeing Plus Course is an internet-delivered psychological intervention for older adults with anxiety or depression.

AIMS: To compare the effectiveness of the Wellbeing Plus Course in a public health setting (clinic group) with its efficacy in a randomised controlled trial (research group).

METHOD: Participants (n=949) were Australian adults aged 60 and above. Primary outcome measures were the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7).

RESULTS

Initial symptom severity was higher in the clinic group and course completion was lower. Both groups showed significant symptom reductions at post-treatment and were satisfied with the treatment. Results were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Within-group symptom changes were comparable between settings; there were no between-group differences on primary outcomes or satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The Wellbeing Plus Course is as effective and acceptable in routine clinical care, as it is in controlled research trials.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST: N.T. and B.F.D developed the Wellbeing Plus Course but derived no financial benefit from it.

COPYRIGHT AND USAGE: © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2016. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) license.