Wilhelm2022 - Efficacy of App-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder with Coach Support, Initial Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

  • Type:#article
  • Year read:#read2022
  • Subject: BDD
  • Bibtex: @wilhelm2022
  • Bibliography: Wilhelm, S., Weingarden, H., Greenberg, J. L., Hoeppner, S. S., Snorrason, I., Bernstein, E. E., McCoy, T. H., & Harrison, O. T. (2022). Efficacy of App-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder with Coach Support: Initial Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1159/000524628

Example citation

In a randomized controlled trial, app-based CBT for BDD outperformed waitlist control with a large effect size (d = 1.44) [@wilhelm2022]

Key takeaways

  • Perspectives app developed by Koa Health
  • Typical CBT techniques like cognitive restructuring and ERP
  • n = 80, waitlist control
    • 31 in app-CBT completed post-treatment
    • 37 in waitlist completed post-treatment
  • Between-group effect size at post, d = 1.44
  • 68% responders, 52% remission (observed data only)

Their pilot study: Wilhelm, S., Weingarden, H., Greenberg, J. L., McCoy, T. H., Ladis, I., Summers, B. J., Matic, A., & Harrison, O. (2019). Development and Pilot Testing of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Digital Service for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Behavior Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2019.03.007

They updated power calculation after expecting a 10% loss in power due to COVID(!)

Pre-COVID-19, the study was powered a priori to detect a BDD-YBOCS group difference of effect size d = 0.90 by week 12, assuming two-sided α = 0.05, 90% power, equal group allocation, 15% dropout, and a sample size of 64. We increased the sample size to 80 on 12/11/2020 to reflect a 10% decrease in the anticipated effect size from 0.90 to 0.81 due to COVID-19 stressors. Fifty-six participants (70%; n = 28 per group) were subsequently enrolled (after 3/16/2020).