The unified protocol as an internet-based intervention for emotional disorders: Randomized controlled trial, 2022, Schaeuffele et al

Abstract

The Unified Protocol (UP) as a transdiagnostic intervention has primarily been applied in the treatment of anxiety disorders and in face-to-face-settings. The current study investigated the efficacy of a 10-week Internet-based adaptation of the UP for anxiety, depressive, and somatic symptom disorders. The trial was registered under DRKS00014820 at the German Clinical Trial Registry, DRKS. Participants (n = 129) were randomized to treatment or waitlist control. Significant treatment effects were found for symptom distress, satisfaction with life, positive/negative affect and markers of anxiety, depression, and somatic symptom burden (within-group Hedges’ g = 0.32–1.38 and between-group g = 0.20–1.11). Treatment gains were maintained at 1- and 6-month-follow-up. Subgroup analyses showed comparable effects in participants with anxiety and depressive disorders. 26.6% dropped out of treatment and 35.38% did not provide post-treatment assessments. The results strengthen the application of the UP as an Internet-based treatment for alleviating symptom distress across emotional disorders. More research on the applicability for single disorders is needed and avenues to improve adherence and attrition rates should be explored.

Open access, https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0270178

 

For thost asking what is The Unified Protocol ?

Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Medical Conditions: A Systematic Review, Osma et al, 2021 full paper = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8151777/

Abstract:

"Emotional disorders are those that most commonly present comorbidly with medical conditions. The Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP), a cognitive-behavioral emotion-based intervention, has proven efficacy and versatility.

The aim of this systematic review is to know the current (research studies) and future research interest (study protocols) in using the UP for the transdiagnostic treatment of emotional symptoms or disorders (EDs) in people with a medical condition. Using the PRISMA guidelines, a literature search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, and Dialnet.

The nine research studies included in this review indicated that the UP is effective in treating emotional symptomatology in a population with a medical condition (effect sizes ranging from d = −3.34 to d = 2.16).

The three included study protocols suggest interest in the future UP application to different medical conditions, and also in distinct application formats. Our review results are encouraging, and conducting more controlled studies is advised to recommend the UP to treat and/or prevent EDs in medical conditions, especially in children and youths."

 

Statistics are not one of my strengths.

Is dropping out of treatment a % of the whole 129, or just the treatment arm ? If just treatment arm do we know how many were assigned (64/65?).Neither the 129 nor 64/65 options seem to correspond to a " whole person" number when applying the drop out %. Weird when these % are so precise.
( It could also be tiredness and a calculator are not a good combination )

Similarly , I am assuming that lack of follow up data is a ,% of the number left after dropping out . Again no " whole people" for 64/65 or even the 129 total.
The % are precise , but it seems the study specialises in bits of people. Gestalt is still a thing... Or my hand eye coordination with the calculator on my phone is not good early morning .

Either way , between drop outs and lack of data on follow up (and a wait list control ) , it's not convincing .
I guess that's why " more research is needed"