Efficacy, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of self-help interventions for anxiety disorders: systematic review
2012/01/01 by Catrin Lewis, Jennifer Pearce, Jonathan I. Bisson · 189 citations
Health Professions · Medicine · Psychology · #Anxiety #Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes #Clinical psychology #Digital Mental Health Interventions #Inclusion (mineral) #Intervention (counseling) #MEDLINE #Medicine #Mental Health and Patient Involvement #Meta-analysis #Panic disorder #Psychiatry #Psychological intervention #Psychology #Randomized controlled trial
paper · pdf · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.110.084756
published in The British Journal of Psychiatry 200(1), 15-21 (Cambridge University Press)
openalex publication_date 2012/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-help interventions for psychiatric disorders represent an increasingly popular alternative to therapist-administered psychological therapies, offering the potential of increased access to cost-effective treatment. AIMS: To determine the efficacy, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of self-help interventions for anxiety disorders. METHOD: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of self-help interventions for anxiety disorders were identified by searching nine online databases. Studies were grouped according to disorder and meta-analyses were conducted where sufficient data were available. Overall meta-analyses of self-help v. waiting list and therapist-administered treatment were also undertaken. Methodological quality was assessed independently by two researchers according to criteria set out by the Cochrane Collaboration. RESULTS: Thirty-one RCTs met inclusion criteria for the review. Results of the overall meta-analysis comparing self-help with waiting list gave a significant effect size of 0.84 in favour of self-help. Comparison of self-help with therapist-administered treatments revealed a significant difference in favour of the latter with an effect size of 0.34. The addition of guidance and the presentation of multimedia or web-based self-help materials improved treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Self-help interventions appear to be an effective way of treating individuals diagnosed with social phobia and panic disorder. Further research is required to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and acceptability of these interventions.
Citations
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