Symposia
Technology
Elizabeth H. Eustis, Ph.D.
Boston University Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders
Boston, Massachusetts
Maya Nauphal, M.A.
PhD student
Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University
Boston, MA
Brittany A. Jaso, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Boston University Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders
Boston, Massachusetts
Daniella M. Spencer-Laitt, M.S.
Doctoral Student
Boston University Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders
Boston, Massachusetts
Lauren S. Woodard, PhD
Research Technician
Boston University Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders
Boston, Massachusetts
Todd J. Farchione, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts
David H. Barlow, ABPP, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry Emeritus
Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts
Anxiety, depression, and related emotional disorders are the most common mental health disorders and are associated with a host of negative outcomes (Global Burden of Diseases 2022; Kessler et al., 2008). Current service delivery models are insufficient to meet the large need for mental health services, and many people who would benefit from services do not receive any treatment (e.g., Andrilla et al., 2018; Muñoz, 2010). Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapies (iCBTs) offer a scalable solution to increase access to evidence-based care. Multiple meta-analyses have found iCBTs to be effective for anxiety and depression (e.g., Cuijpers et al., 2019; Wright et al., 2019). Most CBTs, whether delivered face-to-face or internet-based, primarily target negative affect (NA; Quoidbach et al., 2015), yet difficulties in positive affect (PA) regulation are also prevalent across these disorders (Carl et al., 2014). Recently, there has been increased attention to addressing the full range of affect within CBTs (e.g., Craske et al., 2019). In response, we developed an internet-based version of the Unified Protocol (UP; Barlow et al., 2017), an empirically supported transdiagnostic CBT, that includes the standard UP modules and targets both NA and PA regulation (the iUP+).
We will describe the development of this intervention and present data on acceptability and participant feedback from an initial pilot study of the iUP+ with adult participants with anxiety and depressive disorders (N = 5; majority identified as White, cisgender women, M age = 33) that was used to inform a large ongoing RCT. We will also present preliminary data on symptom outcomes and positive affect. Results indicated participants were generally satisfied with the intervention (CSQ-8; M(SD) = 25.75 (4.27). Examples of qualitative responses regarding general feedback and recommendations for improving the program will be presented. There was a significant reduction in self-reported anxiety from pre-post treatment that was moderate in magnitude (DASS-anxiety; ESsg = -.60). There were no significant group level changes on any other measures of anxiety, depression, or positive affect, though effect sizes ranged in magnitude from small to medium (ESsg: .08 - .72). Given the small sample, we will present each participant’s scores on these measures across time points. This iCBT program has the potential to address difficulties in the regulation of both NA and PA in an easily scalable format.