Can online therapy beat anxiety and depression? large study tests two approaches
NCT ID NCT05016843
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested two types of online therapy for anxiety and depression in 2477 adults. Participants received either a cognitive behavioral treatment or a psychodynamic treatment, delivered over 8 or 16 weeks, with or without a support forum. The goal was to see which combination works best to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Internet-delivered psychological treatments (Unified protocol and Affect phobia treatment)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that online, short-term therapy is an effective and accessible option for treating anxiety and depression.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed study comparing different therapy formats, not a new drug. Results may not apply to everyone, and online therapy may not work as well as in-person care for some people.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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2,477 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2021
- Finished
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Jan 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Be able to read and write Swedish, * access to a mobile phone/computer, * 18 years or older, * GAD-7 ≥ 5 and/or * PHQ-9 ≥ 10. Exclusion Criteria: * Partaking in other psychological treatment, * has started or adjusted treatment with psychopharmacological drugs for anxiety, worry or depression within the nearest month, * severe depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 20) or suicidal (PHQ-9, item 9\>2).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Department of Psychology
Stockholm, Stockholm County, 10691, Sweden
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