Pilot study of Internet-based early intervention for combat-related mental distress

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Van Voorhees BW, Gollan J, Fogel J. Pilot study of Internet-based early intervention for combat-related mental distress. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012;49(8):1175–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2011.05.0095

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2011.05.0095JSP

Pilot study of Internet-based early intervention for combat-related

mental distress

Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH; Jackie Gollan, PhD; Joshua Fogel, PhD

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Van Voorhees BW, Gollan J, Fogel J. Pilot study of Internet-based early intervention for combat-related mental distress. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012;49(8):1175–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2011.05.0095

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2011.05.0095JSP

• Aim – Evaluate Internet-based early intervention intended to

promote combat veterans’ mental health and well-being.• Online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and electronic

peer-to-peer support.

• Relevance– Returning servicemembers‘ mental disorder symptoms,

failure to initiate effective intervention, and preexisting education and situational disadvantages increase risk of unsuccessful transition to civilian life or impairment of military roles.

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Van Voorhees BW, Gollan J, Fogel J. Pilot study of Internet-based early intervention for combat-related mental distress. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012;49(8):1175–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2011.05.0095

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2011.05.0095JSP

Method

• Conducted phase 1 clinical trial of 50 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans:– Pre and post single-arm design.

• At baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12, evaluated:– Feasibility.– Changes in mental health symptoms (depression

and posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]). – Functional status. – Attitudes toward treatment seeking.

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Van Voorhees BW, Gollan J, Fogel J. Pilot study of Internet-based early intervention for combat-related mental distress. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012;49(8):1175–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2011.05.0095

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2011.05.0095JSP

Results

• Significant declines in:– Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale

scores.– PTSD Checklist-Military version scores.

• Significant improvements in:– Willingness to accept diagnosis.– Perceived social norms and stigma regarding

friends.

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Van Voorhees BW, Gollan J, Fogel J. Pilot study of Internet-based early intervention for combat-related mental distress. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012;49(8):1175–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2011.05.0095

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2011.05.0095JSP

Conclusion

• Internet-based program combining CBT-based coping skills training and peer-to-peer support demonstrated potential feasibility and evidenced benefit in symptom remediation for depression and PTSD.