SynthesisPloS one2010
Computer therapy for the anxiety and depressive disorders is effective, acceptable and practical health care: a meta-analysis.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2010. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 10 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 542 papers, 17 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Comparative Efficacy of a Self-directed and Therapist-assisted Telehealth Parent Training Intervention for Children With ASD
Randomised Controlled Trial of an Established Direct to Public Peer Support and E-therapy Programme (Big White Wall) Versus Information to Aid Self-management of Depression and Anxiety.
D-Cycloserine and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Delivered on an iPad: Increasing Access to Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management (CALM) for Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Willkommen Mutterglück: A Controlled Trial of Internet Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Pregnant and Postpartum Women With Depression and Anxiety
A Guided Mobile-Based Perinatal Mindfulness Intervention - A Randomized Control Trial
Suitability, Clinical Utility and Acceptability of an Online Transdiagnostic Intervention for Emotional Disorders and Stress-related Disorders in Mexican Sample: A Randomized Clinical Trial
iWellness Study: Evaluation of a CBT Chatbot App to Promote Mental Wellness in Students
Facing Eating Disorder Fears for Anorexia Nervosa: A Virtual Relapse Prevention Program Targeted at Approach and Avoidance Behaviors
PERSONAE: a Personalized Adaptation of Stepped Care Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression - A Randomized Controlled Trial
Who cites it
542 citing papers in PubMed, 17 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Digital Interventions and Mental Health Outcomes in Patients With Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.JMIR cancer · 2025Pooled it
- Cognitive Behavioral Digital Interventions are Effective in Reducing Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Journal of prevention (2022) · 2024Pooled it
- Two decades of digital interventions for anxiety disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of treatment effectiveness.Psychological medicine · 2023Pooled it
- Trends in Effectiveness of Organizational eHealth Interventions in Addressing Employee Mental Health: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2022Pooled it
- Understanding Engagement in Digital Mental Health and Well-being Programs for Women in the Perinatal Period: Systematic Review Without Meta-analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2022Pooled it
- eHealth Interventions to Address HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Sexual Risk Behavior, Substance Use, and Mental Ill-health in Men Who Have Sex With Men: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.JMIR public health and surveillance · 2022Pooled it
- Low intensity technology-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a meta-analysis.BMC psychiatry · 2021Pooled it
- Contemporary treatment of anxiety in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes in countries with universal healthcare.BMC family practice · 2021Pooled it
- Exploring the Role of Persuasive Design in Unguided Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Among Adults: Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression.Journal of medical Internet research · 2021Pooled it
- eHealth Interventions to Address Sexual Health, Substance Use, and Mental Health Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: Systematic Review and Synthesis of Process Evaluations.Journal of medical Internet research · 2021Pooled it
- Effectiveness of Smartphone-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Among Patients With Major Depression: Systematic Review of Health Implications.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2021Pooled it
- Theories of change for e-health interventions targeting HIV/STIs and sexual risk, substance use and mental ill health amongst men who have sex with men: systematic review and synthesis.Systematic reviews · 2021Pooled it
- Effectiveness of eHealth-Based Psychological Interventions for Depression Treatment in Patients With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review.Frontiers in psychology · 2021Pooled it
- Mobile Apps for Mental Health Issues: Meta-Review of Meta-Analyses.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2020Pooled it
- Smartphone applications for depression: a systematic literature review and a survey of health care professionals' attitudes towards their use in clinical practice.European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience · 2020Pooled it
- Digital Mental Health Interventions for Depression, Anxiety, and Enhancement of Psychological Well-Being Among College Students: Systematic Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2019Pooled it
- Technology Delivered Interventions for Depression and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Clinical child and family psychology review · 2019Pooled it
- Cognitive Behavioral Immersion for Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Virtual Reality and Flat-Screen Delivery.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Trial
- Evaluation of Two Web-Based Interventions (REMOTION and Res-Up!) for Clients From Psychotherapy Waitlists in Routine Outpatient Psychotherapy (Therapy Online Plus-TOP): Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Trial
- Does remote match reality? Comparing the effectiveness of a self-help app for panic disorder and agoraphobia to face-to-face CBT.Psychology and psychotherapy · 2026Trial
482 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
- Commented on by
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDepression and anxiety disorders are common and treatable with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), but access to this therapy is limited.
objectiveReview evidence that computerized CBT for the anxiety and depressive disorders is acceptable to patients and effective in the short and longer term.
methodSystematic reviews and data bases were searched for randomized controlled trials of computerized cognitive behavior therapy versus a treatment or control condition in people who met diagnostic criteria for major depression, panic disorder, social phobia or generalized anxiety disorder. Number randomized, superiority of treatment versus control (Hedges g) on primary outcome measure, risk of bias, length of follow up, patient adherence and satisfaction were extracted. PRINCIPAL
findings22 studies of comparisons with a control group were identified. The mean effect size superiority was 0.88 (NNT 2.13), and the benefit was evident across all four disorders. Improvement from computerized CBT was maintained for a median of 26 weeks follow-up. Acceptability, as indicated by adherence and satisfaction, was good. Research probity was good and bias risk low. Effect sizes were non-significantly higher in comparisons with waitlist than with active treatment control conditions. Five studies comparing computerized CBT with traditional face-to-face CBT were identified, and both modes of treatment appeared equally beneficial.
conclusionsComputerized CBT for anxiety and depressive disorders, especially via the internet, has the capacity to provide effective acceptable and practical health care for those who might otherwise remain untreated.
trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12610000030077.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.