Online psychosocial intervention for persons with spinal cord injury: A meta-analysis

Delivery of psychosocial interventions via the Internet has the potential to overcome barriers and increase access; however, effectiveness is yet to be established among those with spinal cord injury (SCI).

The objective of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of Internet-based psychosocial interventions on the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and pain amongst those with SCI. The databases Medline, PsycInfo, and EMBASE were used to locate studies published between 1990 and December 2020. A study was included if (1) the study involved the application of an online psychosocial intervention; (2) adults with SCI; and (3) reported outcomes on depression and/or anxiety. From each study, participant characteristics and study details were extracted. A standardized mean difference (SMD) ± standard error and 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for each outcome of interest and the results were pooled using a fixed-effects model.

The search yielded 920 studies, of which five were included in the final meta-analysis; It was revealed that Internet-based psychosocial interventions had a small effect on reducing overall anxiety (SMD: 0.42 ± 0.09, p < 0.001) and depression (SMD: 0.41 ± 0.09, p < 0.001) symptoms at the end of the study period. Online psychosocial interventions also had a moderate effect in maintaining reduction of anxiety (SMD: 0.50 ± 0.1, p < 0.001) and depressive (SMD: 0.64 ± 0.10, p < 0.001) symptoms at 3-month follow-up.

The results of this meta-analysis provide evidence for the use of internet-based psychosocial interventions to manage anxiety and depression symptoms among those with spinal cord injuries.