There is no conflict of interest.
Highlights
- The study's objective was to examine the impact of Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CCBT) and Mindfulness-Based Mobile Applications (MBMA) on health outcomes. This profile focuses on the CCBT intervention. The author investigated a similar research question for the MBMA intervention; the profile can be found here.
- The study used an interrupted time series design with data collected through pre- and post-test surveys to assess job stress (burnout) and anxiety. The author compared the outcomes of participants before and after they participated in the intervention.
- The study found a statistically significant relationship between the CCBT intervention and reduced anxiety and burnout.
- This study receives a low evidence rating. This means we are not confident that the estimated effects are attributable to Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CCBT); other factors are likely to have contributed.
Intervention Examined
Features of the Study
The study used an interrupted time series design to evaluate the impact of Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on job stress (burnout) and anxiety. Created by Drs. Helen Christensen and Kathy Griffiths in 2001, Moodgym is an online self-help program for users 18 or older designed to prevent and manage depression and anxiety using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. It features interactive modules that participants can complete at their own pace. Users share their thoughts and feelings to receive personalized feedback, and the program includes a workbook with therapeutic exercises and quizzes.
The study included 100 active-duty military students enrolled in one of six satellite campus of Saint Leo University in the Tidewater area of Virginia. To qualify for the study, participants had to be full-time military personnel without any prior mental health diagnoses and could be enrolled either full-time or part-time, in-person or online. The author did not provide descriptive statistics for the study sample.
Before starting the intervention, pre-test data were collected online from all participants. The pre-test survey included questions about demographics and included two instruments: the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. After completion of the pre-test, the participants were assigned to the CCBT intervention (Moodgym). After completing the online intervention, participants completed post-test surveys. The author used statistical tests to compare outcomes before and after participation in the intervention.
Study Sites
The study was conducted across six sites:
- St. Leo Education Center Fort Eustis Army Base
- St. Leo Education Center Langley Airforce Base
- St. Leo Education Center Newport News
- St. Leo University South Hampton Roads Education Center, Chesapeake
- St. Leo University South Hampton Roads Education Center, Naval Air Station Norfolk
- St. Leo University South Hampton Roads Education Center, Naval Air Station Oceana
Findings
Health and Safety
- The study found a significant relationship between the CCBT intervention and reduced burnout and anxiety.
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
The author compared the outcomes of participants measured before and after they participated in the intervention. For these types of designs, authors must observe outcomes for multiple periods before the intervention to rule out the possibility that participants had increasing or decreasing trends in the outcomes examined before enrollment in the program. That is, if participants who had decreasing job stress or anxiety tended to enroll in the program, we would anticipate further decreases over time, even if they did not participate in the program. Without knowing the trends before study enrollment, we cannot rule this out. Therefore, the study receives a low causal evidence rating.
Causal Evidence Rating
Research Guidelines
Review Protocol: Living Systematic Annual Search and Review Protocol
Review Guidelines: Causal Evidence Guidelines