A Comparative examination of measurement-based psychiatric care delivered via specialized telemedicine platform versus treatment as usual: A retrospective analysis (Preprint)

Abstract

UNSTRUCTURED Objective: Over 20% of US adults live with a mental illness, and the more prevalent conditions of depression and anxiety are typically managed in primary care settings rather than specialty care. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of a novel, measurement-driven psychiatric treatment platform delivered via an online platform (Brightside) as compared to treatment as usual (TAU). Methods: The TAU dataset and the Brightside dataset were constructed from the total populations of adult patients receiving care for depression from January 2018 through December 2020 (November 2018 through March 2021 for the Brightside group). Patients in both groups had a primary mental health diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety, and presence of a positive screen for depression or anxiety as measured by the PHQ-9 upon initiation of treatment. HITLAB, an independent digital health verification and testing lab, conducted comparative analyses of the two groups using chi square test of independence. Results: Close to 80% of Brightside patients experienced a 5 or more points reduction in their baseline PHQ9 score as compared to 52% of TAU patients. The mean reduction in PHQ9 score was slightly higher in the Brightside group (-11.5) versus the TAU group (-10.1). Chi-square tests of independence x2 (1, N=6281) = 256.75, p<=0.001 for meaningful reduction and for remission (x2 (1, N=6281) = 105.50 p<=0.001 are highly significant. Conclusion: Brightside performed significantly better than psychiatric treatment as usual in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults.