A One-Arm Pilot Trial of a Telehealth CBT-Based Group Intervention Targeting Transdiagnostic Risk for Emotional...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Psychology
• Telehealth

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted mental health, increasing emotional distress.
• Transdiagnostic risk factors such as anxiety sensitivity (AS), intolerance of uncertainty (IU), and loneliness are key targets for intervention.
• A modular, transdiagnostic approach may effectively address these widespread risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and utility of Coping Crew, a group, telehealth-delivered transdiagnostic treatment.
• To evaluate the impact of the intervention on transdiagnostic risk factors.
• To examine the role of a mobile app component in the treatment protocol.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 17 participants who completed the Coping Crew intervention.
• The intervention was delivered via telehealth in a group format.
• Feasibility, acceptability, and utility were assessed through participant surveys and app usage data.

Main Results:

• The telehealth intervention and study protocol were feasible, acceptable, and useful.
• Significant reductions in AS, IU, and loneliness were observed post-intervention and maintained at 1- and 3-month follow-ups.
• Mobile app feasibility was mixed, with high survey completion but lower app-specific task completion.

Conclusions:

• The Coping Crew program is a feasible and effective transdiagnostic treatment for reducing key mental health risk factors.
• Telehealth delivery is a viable method for implementing such interventions.
• Further development of the mobile app component may enhance engagement and outcomes.