Who benefits from guided internet-based interventions? A systematic review of predictors and moderators of treatment outcome

Predictors and moderators of outcome of ICBT for loneliness with guidance or automated messages - A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

“…Increased baseline loneliness predicted higher loneliness scores at post-assessment but was unrelated to treatment response. This finding partially aligns with prior evidence, e.g., in guided ICBTs, suggesting worse treatment outcome (i.e., higher post- or FU score) but better treatment response (i.e., greater symptom reduction) in participants with higher baseline symptom severity ( Haller et al, 2023 ). Also, contrary to our findings, in a face-to-face group-based loneliness intervention, higher baseline loneliness was associated with greater improvements in loneliness ( Cruwys et al, 2022 ).…”

“…A recent systematic review synthesized findings from prediction studies on guided ICBTs across various psychological disorders ( Haller et al, 2023 ). Overall, no demographic variables consistently predicted outcome.…”

“…On the other hand, treatment-related variables, such as adherence or working alliance, predicted better outcomes, while clinical variables, such as higher baseline symptom severity, predicted worse treatment outcome but better treatment response. In addition, a tendency for less favorable treatment outcomes in the presence of comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms was observed ( Haller et al, 2023 ). However, this review only focused on guided ICBT and did not include studies assessing predictors / moderators of ICBT with automated messages.…”

“…In addition to predictors / moderators of treatment outcome previously examined, it is important to investigate if loneliness-specific aspects such as increased feelings of loneliness, duration of loneliness, satisfaction with quality of social relationships or clinical variables like childhood trauma, that affects the experience of safe and caring relationships ( de Heer et al, 2022 ) are associated with the outcome of an ICBT with guidance or automated messages. Overall, the question remains for whom ICBT with guidance or automated messages is beneficial and if predictors and moderators of outcome in previous studies on various psychological disorders ( Haller et al, 2023 ) are also valid for ICBT for loneliness. This would allow ICBT for loneliness with guidance or automated messages to be offered more specifically to those who would benefit from it, and interventions to be adapted for those who do not.…”

Evaluating the impact of motivational interviewing on engagement and outcomes in a web-based self-help intervention for gambling disorder: A randomised controlled trial

“…Hodgins et al, 2019, which reported a 37 % rate of prior treatment). Thus, meaningful behavioral changes may have occurred at a different rate relative to previous trials, although the effect of treatment naivete on outcomes in this context is inconclusive ( Haller et al, 2023 ). Moreover, much of our recruitment and intervention occurred in the context of the pandemic, which may explain the higher rates of unemployment than would otherwise be expected.…”