December/January 2014/2015 (vol. 11/4)

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Internet-based CBT reduces absence rates

Analysis of aggregated data from five randomised controlled trials of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) found a significant reduction in sickness absence taken by employed individuals with common mental health problems. Two trials involved workers with depression, two were for generalised anxiety disorder, and one was for social phobia. Each comprised six online sessions, homework, work assignments and other resources. Mean baseline absence in the previous week was 0.64 days (standard error (SE) 0.09) for the intervention groups and 0.83 days for the control groups (SE 0.13). Absence fell to 0.35 days (SE 0.09) for the intervention groups, but rose marginally to 0.93 days (SE 0.12) among the controls (p = 0.03). There were no significant differences within the three disorder groups. 

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Occupational Health at Work December/January 2014/2015 (vol. 11/4) pp40