Predictors in Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy and behavioral stress management for severe health anxiety. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hedman, Erik; Andersson, Erik; Lekander, Mats; Ljótsson, Brjánn
• Is Part Of: Behaviour research and therapy. Volume 64(2015)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 55
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Severe health anxiety -- Predictors -- Cognitive behavior therapy -- Behavioral stress management -- Internet; Cognitive therapy -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2014.11.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7967

Abstract

Abstract: Severe health anxiety can be effectively treated with exposure-based Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT), but information about which factors that predict outcome is scarce. Using data from a recently conducted RCT comparing ICBT ( n = 79) with Internet-delivered behavioral stress management (IBSM) ( n = 79) the presented study investigated predictors of treatment outcome. Analyses were conducted using a two-step linear regression approach and the dependent variable was operationalized both as end state health anxiety at post-treatment and as baseline-to post-treatment improvement. A hypothesis driven approach was used where predictors expected to influence outcome were based on a previous predictor study by our research group. As hypothesized, the results showed that baseline health anxiety and treatment adherence predicted both end state health anxiety and improvement. In addition, anxiety sensitivity, treatment credibility, and working alliance were significant predictors of health anxiety improvement. Demographic variables, i.e. age, gender, marital status, computer skills, educational level, and having children, had no significant predictive value. We conclude that it is possible to predict a substantial proportion of the outcome variance in ICBT and IBSM for severe health anxiety. The findings of the present study can be of high clinical value as they provide information about factors of importance for outcome in the treatment of severe health anxiety. Highlights: This study investigated predictors of Internet-based treatment using a replication design. As expected, health anxiety and treatment adherence predicted outcome. As expected, demographic factors were largely without predictive value. Important strength of the study is that predictors are validated in two samples. The results are of high clinical value as they can be used to predict treatment outcome.