Virtual treatment for depression is better than in-person sessions: McMaster study
'Why is it better? It's accessible. It's more private,' says lead author
A new study from McMaster University suggests virtual therapy for people with depression is actually better than in-person sessions.
It's a revelation that debunks long-held perceptions about treatment and is especially timely during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to senior author Dr. Zena Samaan.
In the past, the assumption was that face-to-face psychotherapy allowed people to better-connect with their therapist, explained the associate professor of psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences at McMaster.
However, video conferences, email or even text-based approaches offer other benefits.
"Why is it better? It's accessible. It's more private. People felt it was more personal because they are in their own home, private environment than in a building in a waiting area," said Samaan.
Virtual treatments also means people don't have to travel or find child care, which makes it more cost effective, she added.
The study follows an analysis of 17 randomized control trials completed between 2003 and 2018 in countries including Australia, the Netherlands and U.K. that compared therapist-supported therapy delivered through video conferences, email and text with face-to-face meetings.
A summary of the evidence and statistics from the studies, which included more than 2,000 participants, showed both approaches were helpful, but electronic treatment was even better — something Samaan said initially caught her by surprise.
It found the online and electronic interactions were not only effective, they actually improved patients' symptoms better than in-person meetings.
Although the review began before COVID-19, the pandemic has since pushed many areas of healthcare online, making its findings even more meaningful.
"During this current pandemic when everybody in the world is forced to use electronic formats to maintain physical distancing, the opportunity is for this study to now say ... 'Electronic therapy is not inferior to face-to-face. In fact, it's better,'" said Samaan.
The study could also lead to changes that will help those struggling to access care because of long wait times or limited access in rural or undeserved areas, she added.
"We hope that this study adds to healthcare providers, but also policy-makers to know what they are doing during the pandemic is something really positive that can continue beyond the pandemic."