Online cognitive behaviour therapy for asthma-related anxiety: a randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Respiratory Medicine
• Digital Health

Background:

• Anxiety is prevalent in adults with asthma, negatively impacting disease outcomes and quality of life.
• Asthma-related anxiety requires effective therapeutic interventions to improve patient well-being.
• Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) presents a potential scalable solution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of therapist-guided, internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) for reducing asthma-related anxiety.
• To compare ICBT with treatment as usual plus medical education in adults with asthma.
• To assess the impact of ICBT on asthma control, avoidance behaviors, and quality of life.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 90 adult participants with asthma-related anxiety.
• Participants received either 8-week therapist-guided ICBT or treatment as usual plus medical education.
• Primary outcome: reduction in catastrophizing about asthma; Secondary outcomes: asthma control, avoidance behavior, quality of life, and FEV1.

Main Results:

• ICBT significantly reduced catastrophizing about asthma compared to the control group (p<0.001).
• Significant improvements were observed in asthma control, avoidance behavior, and quality of life in the ICBT group.
• These improvements were sustained at 6-month follow-up, with no changes in FEV1.

Conclusions:

• Therapist-guided ICBT is an effective and safe treatment for reducing anxiety in adults with asthma.
• ICBT demonstrates significant benefits in improving asthma control, reducing avoidance behaviors, and enhancing quality of life.
• ICBT is a promising adjunctive therapy for managing asthma complicated by anxiety.