Topic: Anxiety, Depression
Target Population: Adults, Employers, Clinicians
Sector: Community-Based
This program is for adults who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression, physicians who treat adults who have symptoms of anxiety or depression, and employers.
Beating the Blues®, a community-based program, is an online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) course that is designed to help participants change how they think, feel, and act.
Results from randomized controlled trials have been mixed. When the program was delivered in primary care offices on a computer, as an adjunct to primary care, studies show significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and attributional style in the treatment group at 6-month follow-ups compared to the treatment as usual group. Impacts on anxiety and positive attributional style were stronger in participants whose clinical status was worse at the start of the program. However, one randomized trial was conducted in which participants were assigned to an online version of Beating the Blues (plus usual care and telephone support), a free online CBT program (plus usual care and telephone support), or a usual-care program. Results indicated no differences in depression outcomes in the three groups. Authors of this study noted that uptake and use of the program was low despite regular telephone support. Another randomized trial was conducted in which participants were assigned to an online version of Beating the Blues with care-coach support, an online version of Beating the Blues with care-coach support and an internet support group, or a usual care program. Results at a 6-month follow-up demonstrated significant improvements in depression and anxiety for individuals who were participating in Beating the Blues compared to individuals who were receiving usual care. The internet support group did not provide additional benefits. These differences were no longer significant at a 12-month follow-up as the usual care group also improved. Overall, results tend to differ based on delivery mode, type and amount of additional support provided to participants, and levels of user engagement.
This program is designed to teach participants about depression and anxiety and help participants learn to modify how they think about themselves, other people, and their life events to alleviate or manage their condition. Sessions are available online and consist of the following cognitive and behavioral components:
Participants complete homework to reinforce and support information disseminated during sessions.
This program has been used in the United Kingdom since 2001 and was first used in the United States in 2011. The program is being used at more than 200 sites in the United States, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
This program is predominately self-administered and implemented online. Information about training was not located. Please use details in the Contact section to learn more.
Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring participant buy-in, ensuring that participants have access to a computer and the internet, and making sure participants have sufficient time to complete sessions.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing Beating the Blues, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
The program consists of eight sessions. Each session has three to five modules, and each module takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Each session includes projects that participants must complete during the week. Total program length is 8 to 12 weeks.
Please use details in the Contact section for information on implementation costs.
To move Beating the Blues to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence at least one to two additional evaluations should be performed demonstrating positive outcomes lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact Beating the Blues by visiting https://www.beatingtheblues.co.uk/contact-us/
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