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Manage Your Life Online: A Web-Based Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Problem-Solving Intervention in a Student Sample

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2018

Timothy Bird ,
Warren Mansell ,
Jason Wright ,
Hannah Gaffney  and
Sara Tai
Timothy Bird*
Affiliation:
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Warren Mansell
Affiliation:
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Jason Wright
Affiliation:
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Hannah Gaffney
Affiliation:
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Sara Tai
Affiliation:
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
*
Correspondence to Timothy Bird, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Doorway 6, Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background: Evidence for the efficacy of computer-based psychological interventions is growing. A number of such interventions have been found to be effective, especially for mild to moderate cases. They largely rely on psychoeducation and ‘homework tasks’, and are specific to certain diagnoses (e.g. depression). Aims: This paper presents the results of a web-based randomized controlled trial of Manage Your Life Online (MYLO), a program that uses artificial intelligence to engage the participant in a conversation across any problem topic. Method: Healthy volunteers (n = 213) completed a baseline questionnaire and were randomized to the MYLO program or to an active control condition where they used the program ELIZA, which emulates a Rogerian psychotherapist. Participants completed a single session before completing post-study and 2-week follow-up measures. Results: Analyses were per protocol with intent to follow-up. Both programs were associated with improvements in problem distress, anxiety and depression post-intervention, and again 2 weeks later, but MYLO was not found to be more effective than ELIZA. MYLO was rated as significantly more helpful than ELIZA, but there was no main effect of intervention on problem resolution. Conclusions: Findings are consistent with those of a previous smaller, laboratory-based trial and provide support for the acceptability and effectiveness of MYLO delivered over the internet for a non-clinical sample. The lack of a no-treatment control condition means that the effect of spontaneous recovery cannot be ruled out.

Keywords

non-clinicalself-helpcCBTtreatment outcome
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 46 , Issue 5 , September 2018 , pp. 570 - 582
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2018 

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