How remote cognitive behavioural therapy can reduce health anxiety

Written by: Eva Reet Singh

Reviewed by: Lia Laklkaka

Research Paper: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21208-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt

This article aims to investigate how remote therapy can reduce health anxiety. 

Health anxiety refers to when a person has a constant feeling of stress about falling unwell or having an illness. This sort of anxiety makes people repetitively visit doctors and emergency services, usually without clear medical symptoms or causes. This becomes incredibly expensive and time-consuming. Researchers in the UK wanted to find out whether cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), provided remotely using video or over the phone, could help people with severe health anxiety, while also being cost effective. 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a treatment which can be used for a wide range of mental health and emotional struggles, CBT can be adapted for individuals of any age, including young adults who may face financial or access barriers. is a kind of talk therapy that helps manage mental health conditions, such as depression, as well as emotional concerns like coping with grief or stress. In this specific study, CBT was tailored for anxiety in health. 

The study was a randomised controlled trial in adults who had been recurrent unscheduled attenders of health care in the past year. One received remote CBT (RCBT) alongside usual care, while the other continued with treatment as usual (TAU). The therapy program contained 6–12 CBT sessions, with the option of up to three booster sessions. 

Researchers observed individuals for a year, assessing health anxiety, general anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, quality of life, and healthcare utilization. They also compared the cost of offering therapy against the potential savings of reduced medical visits.

The results were promising. At six months, participants receiving RCBT showed significant reductions in health anxiety compared to the usual care group. These improvements persisted for nine and twelve months. The therapy also helped with general anxiety and depression, while physical symptoms and social or work functioning remained similar between groups.

From an economic perspective, RCBT appeared a cost-saving option. The total cost of healthcare and informal care during 12 months was lower in the RCBT group, although this was not statistically significant. Considering the cost of therapy provision and the difference in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), the intervention was well-liked, and it had the potential to save money in the future.

These findings illuminate practical benefits of remote therapy. By allowing patients to receive beneficial, structured CBT from home, health services are able to reach patients who would not otherwise be willing to seek mental health care, as well as those who were going much too often. The study shows that RCBT is not only effective in reducing health anxiety but also potentially lowered the burden on healthcare systems.

While the study showed strong results, some limitations exist. Follow-up retention was moderate, the TAU care group received a combination of varied intercessions, and long-term outcomes after a year are unknown. Nonetheless, the study provides persuasive evidence that remote therapy can be a more comfortable, effective, and potentially cost-saving option for individuals experiencing health anxiety.