Internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy for severe health anxiety: randomised controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundHypochondriasis, characterised by severe health anxiety, is a common condition associated with functional disability. Cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective but not widely disseminated treatment for hypochondriasis. Internet-based CBT, including guidance in the form of minimal therapist contact via email, could be a more accessible treatment, but no study has investigated internet-based CBT for hypochondriasis.AimsTo investigate the efficacy of internet-based CBT for hypochondriasis.MethodA randomised controlled superiority trial with masked assessment comparing internet-based CBT (n= 40) over 12 weeks with an attention control condition (n= 41) for people with hypochondriasis. The primary outcome measure was the Health Anxiety Inventory. This trial is registrated with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00828152).ResultsParticipants receiving internet-based CBT made large and superior improvements compared with the control group on measures of health anxiety (between-group Cohen'sdrange 1.52–1.62).ConclusionsInternet-based CBT is an efficacious treatment for hypochondriasis that has the potential to increase accessibility and availability of CBT for hypochodriasis.