DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this line is to explore ways to improve access to psychological treatments for people suffering from the most prevalent mental disorders, anxiety and depression, using ICTs.

SINCE

1992

RELEVANT MILESTONES AND APPLICATIONS

The line begins with studies of adaptation of psychological treatments to Spanish population in the 90s. When we started our ICTS line we developed VR and AR scenarios as an alternative delivery of exposure therapy, one of the most effective techniques in the treatment of emotional disorders.

Then we focused on designing, developing and validating online protocols for the prevention and treatment of depression and anxiety disorders from a transdiagnostic perspective (Smiling is Fun, UJI online transdiagnostic protocol).

Both approaches (ICTs and transdiagnostic) represent innovations for the improvement of the dissemination and implementation of psychological treatments. To administer these protocols, we have developed a technological platform www.psicologiaytecnologia.com for the creation and administration of online psychological assessment and treatment protocols.

We have conducted several controlled clinical trials in different contexts: primary care, specialized care, and community population with very good results. Our software has intellectual property and our goal now is to transfer the use of these protocols to society (public and private health settings) so that as many people as possible can benefit from them.

PUBLICATIONS, AWARDS AND OTHER RELEVANT ASPECTS TO BE HIGHLIGHTED

Publications:

  1. Montero-Marin, J., Araya, R.,.. Mayoral, F., Gili, M., Botella, C., Baños, R. M…. Garcia-Campayo, J. (2016). An Internet-based intervention for depression in primary care in Spain: A randomized Controlled trial. JMIR, 18(8):e231. doi: 10.2196/jmir.5695.
  2. González Robles, A., García-Palacios, A., Baños, R.M., Quero, S. & Botella, C. (2019). Upregulating Positive Affectivity in the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders: A Randomized Pilot Study. Behavior Modification. 43 (1), 26-55. 2019.  Doi 10.1177/0145445517735631
  3. Gili, M., Castro, A., Garcia-Palacios, A., Garcia-Campayo, J., Mayoral, F., Botella, C ….& Baños, R. M. (2020). Efficacy of three low-intensity, internet-based psychological interventions for the treatment of depression in primary care: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 22 – 6, pp. e15845. 2020. DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02708-8
  4. Gonzalez-Robles, A., Diaz-Garcia, A., Garcia-Palacios, A., Roca, P., Ramos-Quiroga, J. A. & Botella, C. (2020). Effectiveness of a transdiagnostic guided Internet-delivered protocol for emotional disorders versus treatment as usual in specialized care: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(7):e18220. Doi: 10.2196/18220.
  5. Gonzalez Robles, A., Suso Ribera, C., Diaz Garcia, a., Garcia Palacios, A., Castilla, D., Botella, C. (2021). Predicting response to transdiagnostic iCBT for emotional disorders from patient and therapist involvement. Internet Interventions. 25 – 100420. DOI: 10.2196/21335.
  6. Diaz-Garcia, A., Gonzalez-Robles, A., Garcia-Palacios, A., Castilla, C., Breton, J., Baños, R.; Quero, S., Botella, C. (2021). Negative and positive affect regulation in a transdiagnostic Internet-based protocol for emotional disorders: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 23 – p.e21335. DOI: 10.2196/21335
  7. Gonzalez-Robles, A., Roca, P., Diaz-Garcia, A., Garcia-Palacios, A. & Botella, C. (2023). Long-term effectiveness and predictors of transdiagnostic Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for emotional disorders in specialized care: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 9(10): e40268. Doi: 10.2196/40268
  8. Paredes-Mealla, M., Martinez-Borba, V., Miragall, M., Garcia-Palacios, A., Baños, R. M., Suso-ribera, C. (2023). Is there evidence that emotional reasoning processing underlies emotional disorders in adults? A systematic review. Current Psychology, 42, 2838-28754. 10.1007/s12144-022-03884-4

Intellectual property:

  • UJI transdiagnostic protocol online
  • Smiling is Fun
  • Psychology and Technology web platform