Efficacy of a process-based, Mobile-delivered personalized CBT for anxiety disorders: Study protocol for a randomized...

Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) is effective in treating anxiety disorders, yet there is room for improvement in treatment response and reduction in dropout rates. This study proposes a personalized, modular ICBT intervention that leverages the extended evolutionary meta-model to provide a dynamic and adaptive treatment approach, aiming to enhance usability and efficacy.

The trial will be conducted in two phases. Phase I involves 182 participants who will undergo a 30-day ecological momentary assessment to record functional processes and anxiety levels three times a day. The data collected will help in identifying key functional predictors of anxiety for each participant through group iterative multiple model estimation. In Phase II, participants who complete Phase I will be randomized into three groups: personalized CBT, standard CBT, and a waiting list. Outcome measures will include Brief Symptom Inventory, specific measures of anxiety, usability metrics, and dropout rates. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. A linear mixed model will be utilized to analyze the data and determine the intervention's efficacy.

Anticipated outcomes from this study include advancements in personalized CBT for anxiety disorders, contributing valuable insights into their potential benefits and addressing existing challenges in the field.