Initial Outcomes of Transdiagnostic Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Tailored to Public Safety Personnel: Longitudinal Observational Study

Background Canadian public safety personnel (PSP) experience high rates of mental health disorders and face many barriers to treatment. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) overcomes such barriers, is effective for treating depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Objective This study was designed fill a gap in the literature regarding use ICBT tailored specifically PSP. We examined effectiveness program PTSD symptoms among PSP province Saskatchewan. Methods employed longitudinal single-group open-trial design (N=83) with outcome measures administered at screening 8 weeks posttreatment. Data were collected between December 5, 2019 September 11, 2020. Primary outcomes included changes Secondary functional impairment; panic, social anger; as well treatment satisfaction, working alliance, usage patterns. Results Clients reported large symptom reductions on depression moderate secondary symptoms, except anxiety. Most clients who above clinical cut-offs during experienced clinically significant reductions. suggested good engagement, alliance. Conclusions Tailored, transdiagnostic demonstrated promising Saskatchewan warrants further investigation. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04127032; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04127032