Rates and Predictors of Deterioration in a Trial of Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Reducing Suicidal Thoughts

Abstract

Objective

It is necessary for suicide prevention interventions to demonstrate safety. One important aspect of safety is evidence that deterioration rates are low. No studies have examined deterioration of suicidal ideation in the context of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention to reduce suicidal ideation. A secondary analysis of the outcomes of an online trial was conducted to determine rates of deterioration in a CBT intervention called Living with Deadly Thoughts, relative to an attention control condition, and to identify factors associated with deterioration.

Method

The randomized controlled trial included 418 adults with suicidal ideation at baseline (77% females, mean age 40.6 years). Deterioration was defined in two ways: a reliable increase in Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS score) of ≥6.0 units; or triggering the safety protocol during the trial as determined by high levels of suicidality. Analyses were repeated with multiply imputed data. Predictors of deterioration were identified using logistic regression analysis.

Results

30 (14%) participants in the control group and 15 (7%) in the intervention group met criteria for reliable deterioration (Fisher’s exact p = 0.027). In a fully adjusted logistic regression model, greater initial severity of suicidal thinking was associated with lower odds of deterioration, while intervention condition, demographics, psychological factors and mental health factors had no significant association with deterioration.

Conclusions

Participation in an online suicide prevention intervention was associated with lower prevalence of reliable deterioration than participation in an attention-control intervention, providing further evidence that internet-based CBT interventions do not cause harm.

Highlights

• First study to assess deterioration in an internet suicide prevention intervention

• Rates of reliable deterioration were higher in control (14%) than intervention (7%)

• No psychological or demographic factors were robustly associated with deterioration

• Findings provide further evidence that internet based CBT programs are not harmful

Keywords:

• Clinical trial;
• cognitive behavioral therapy;
• deterioration;
• internet interventions;
• suicide

AUTHOR NOTES

Philip J. Batterham, Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT Australia. Helen Christensen, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Alison L. Calear, Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT Australia. Aliza Werner-Seidler, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Dominique Kazan, Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT Australia.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by NHMRC Project Grant [1046317]. PJB, HC and ALC are supported by NHMRC Fellowships [1158707], [1155614] and [1122544], respectively.