How can computer-based CBT help?
Computer-based therapy works by delivering a series of interactive sessions covering background information on the disorder, identification of problem areas, and skills and techniques to help manage these problems. Computer programs have been shown to be clinically efficacious for various forms of anxiety in adults, for example, panic disorder and phobia (Gilroy et al. 2000; Richards, Klein & Carlbring 2003; Schneider et al. 2005). In addition, two programs aimed primarily at treating depression have also been shown to have positive effects on anxiety levels: MoodGYM (Christensen, Griffiths & Korten 2002) and Beating the Blues (Proudfoot et al. 2003). However, no computer programs have yet been developed and evaluated specifically for anxiety in adolescents. We believe that computer-based delivery has major potential for use with this age group. Increasing numbers of young Australians use the Internet to seek help for mental health problems (Mission Australia 2005; Nicholas et al. 2004) and we think it is reasonable to expect that many of these people would also be receptive to a computer-based therapy option. Computerised self-help allows a degree of personal control and flexibility that is ideal for independent adolescents and it may also be able to help reduce the stigma of receiving therapy for many users. This delivery method may allow wider dissemination of therapy and may therefore be able to improve service access for many young people.
The Cool Teens CD-ROM project
To help meet the current treatment gaps that exist for adolescents with anxiety disorders, a multidisciplinary team at MUARU has developed the Cool Teens CD-ROM (Rapee, Cunningham & Lyneham 2005). The team consisted of two lead clinical psychologists, an instructional designer, a programmer, two graphic artists and a videographer. Content development was further guided by an advisory board of additional psychologists, academics and young people. The Cool Teens CDROM is an interactive experience and is primarily an adaptation of existing paper-based therapy materials that have been developed and used successfully for bibliotherapy and group therapy at our research unit (Lyneham et al. 2005; Rapee et al. 2000). The project has four phases: development of a prototype program (one module and navigation system) prototype evaluation with young people development of a full clinical version of the program a clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and user acceptability of the program.
Development
For several reasons, one of which is its use of live video, the program has been developed as a CD-ROM. The software was programmed using Macromedia Flash MX 2004 Professional (2004) and the resulting application is an auto-run CD-ROM for both Windows and Mac operating systems. All the content was created and programmed in a manner that makes migration to an online web site possible if this becomes a delivery preference in the future.
In designing the modules for the program, a model for delivering information about a cognitive behavioural therapy technique was created. Since this model bears similarity to the commonly used Learning Objects in the world of E-Learning (Cisco Systems Inc. 2000), we refer to these components as Therapy Objects (Figure 2). This model provided a framework for the consistent presentation of content and helped guide the development of appropriate multimedia components.
FIGURE 2: Cool Teens 'Therapy object'
Multimedia components
Text ? used to provide overviews and specific information on content topics (stored as .xml files and imported into the Flash application).
Audio ? used to provide voiceover instruction and suggestions on how to get the most from the program as well as for narration of content and examples (stored as mp3 files). Illustrations ? static images used to present information and to make the overall presentation more engaging and informative (drawn in Adobe Illustrator).
Live video ? various characters used for the engaging presentation of information using a real-life format: the guides (two young presenters who introduce and summarise the content in each module), the characters (six young people who role-play specific anxiety problems), and the experts (two psychologists who provide answers to common questions).
Cartoon sequences ? four illustrated characters are used to introduce concepts and examples (created as a sequence of cartoon frames).
Interactive diagrams ? used to allow flexible, repeatable user-driven exploration of topics (animations using a mixture of graphics, text and voiceovers).
Animated flowcharts ? used to help clarify the sequences or relationships of content components, for example, a feared event can lead to a negative thought which can then lead to a negative action (animations using a mixture of graphics, text and voiceovers).
Practice task forms ? allow users to enter and edit information and also to monitor their progress when they are applying techniques in their everyday lives.
One key aspect of our multimedia development process was the involvement of several young people during content creation. Their input and feedback, especially to a prototype version of the program, allowed us to create materials that are familiar and comfortable to the target age group. A key focus of the program is ?Other people?s stories? (for example, see Figure 3). In the first module, the user is introduced to six young people who role-play several anxiety problems. This helps the user to see that other people have similar problems and that they are not alone. These characters are followed through the program. They illustrate examples, provide practice exercises and, towards the end of the program, the user gets to meet them again to see how they have progressed. A very important collaboration for this project has been the involvement of a video director and a group of talented young people who participate in a national television show for young people ? Al Ellis and the team from School Torque/Schools Broadcasting Australia Pty. We worked closely with this group to develop the storylines and they acted out and produced all the live video clips for the program.
FIGURE 3: Example from ?other people?s stories? ? Laura
?I?m always worrying about stuff ? my friends have always called me a worrywart. I think if something can go wrong, it will. Are my family OK? Why are my friends late ? don?t they like me any more? Is my homework correct (I only checked it three times)? I think about the bad things that have happened in the past as well as the ones that will happen in the future ... the world is a really dangerous place, there are hundreds of accidents out there just waiting to happen. Sometimes my worries stop me from getting to sleep for hours. It seems to me that I have always been this way but worrying takes so much time and energy, now I even worry that I worry too much!?
The Cool Teens CD-ROM
The result of our design and development work is a multimedia CD-ROM (see Figures 4 and 5) consisting of eight modules, with each one taking 15?30 minutes to complete.
Users complete a module every one to two weeks or as an ?in and out? treatment when and as needed. The modules are:
Understanding anxiety ? Contains background information on anxiety and introduces the main characters used to present content in the program
Setting goals ? Suggests how to get the best results from the program
Realistic thinking I ? A technique to help users replace their worried thoughts with realistic, calmer ones
Realistic thinking II ? Making this technique easier to use in everyday situations
Stepladders I ? A technique to help users face their fears using a step by step approach
Stepladders II ? Advanced use of this technique
Other coping skills ? Helps the user find strategies for dealing with anxiety, for example, problem solving, assertiveness
Staying cool ? Key tips about preventing future problems with anxiety.
Modules contain information, interactive exercises, hypothetical scenarios and case studies. They also have practice tasks that the user performs outside of the time they spend on the computer program. Users create their own username and password and enter data at various stages of program use. This information is stored in a specific folder on the local hard drive using encryption to provide secure and private access. This data storage allows the user to view a chart of their progress over time (by keeping track of their self-reported ratings of anxiety levels and therapy progress) and is also used to give feedback and motivational messages. A home page provides access to all the modules and to the progress tools. Although users have open access (they can choose the order in which they use modules), they are informed that there is a recommended sequence. The entire program is ideally used over eight to 12 weeks, but individuals will move at their own pace depending on the severity and nature of their problems and other factors, for example, how much time they can dedicate to the practice tasks.
FIGURE 4: Example content pages from the Cool Teens CD-ROM
FIGURE 5: Cool Teens CD-ROM user experience flowchart
Aims of the program
Our program aims to answer two recent government calls to provide more timely and effective mental health care services that help reduce the current treatment gaps for adolescents (Australian Health Ministers 2003) and to explore technology-based solutions for improving access and reducing treatment barriers for rural and remote communities (Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care 2000). The overall goal of the Cool Teens program is to address these issues by providing an effective, accessible, low-cost treatment option for many young people with anxiety who do not currently receive and may be unwilling to access professional help.
Effectiveness study
In early 2006, we started the final phase of the project. This is a three-year clinical study, involving 150 young people with anxiety. The main aim is to evaluate the ability of the Cool Teens program to reduce symptoms and life interference caused by anxiety. It will also examine how satisfied users are with this method of receiving therapy and other issues, such as whether the computer program helps to increase confidentiality and to reduce stigma.
Future developments
If proven to be effective and acceptable, the program will be implemented into clinical practice at our clinic and will also be made available at low cost regionally and nationally. Thus, once the research is completed, a new therapy option will be available to many young people. This program then has potential for distribution through clinics, family physicians, community health centres, schools or school counsellors.
In addition to the treatment of anxiety, other potential uses of the program will also be explored. It may be beneficial as an early intervention program for sub-clinical or high-risk young people or for universal or school-based anxiety education projects. For example, the introductory psycho-education module (?Understanding anxiety?) could be used as a stand-alone tool for increasing mental health literacy and helpseeking rates in young people. Our research also lays the groundwork for the further exploration of self-help computer-based therapy, including studies on the potential cost savings of this delivery method, the identification of the types of young people who are most likely to experience a positive outcome with this treatment method, and the potential integration of email or text messaging for support or for motivation to aid program completion.
References
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Cool Teens program was developed using a grant from Macquarie University Vice Chancellor?s Development Fund. The clinical evaluation trial is funded by a Research Project Grant in Mental Illness from the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund. We also acknowledge and thank the many members of the project team.
AUTHORS
Mike Cunningham is a doctoral graduate student in the Department of Psychology at Macquarie University, under the academic supervision of Ron Rapee, who is a Professor of Psychology and Director of the Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit (MUARU). Heidi Lyneham is a clinical psychologist and Research Fellow in the Department of Psychology at Macquarie University. Mike Cunningham holds an international Macquarie University Research Scholarship (iMURS). Email contact: [email protected]