Original Paper
Dropout From an Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Intervention for Adults With Depression and Anxiety: Qualitative
Study
Kate Lawler
1,2
, BA, MSc; Caroline Earley
1,2
, MSc; Ladislav Timulak
1
, PhD; Angel Enrique
1,2
, PhD; Derek Richards
1,2
,
PhD
1
E-Mental Health Research Group, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
2
Clinical Research and Innovation, SilverCloud Health, Dublin, Ireland
Corresponding Author:
Kate Lawler, BA, MSc
E-Mental Health Research Group
School of Psychology
Trinity College Dublin
College Green
Dublin
Ireland
Phone: 353 851510008
Email: lawlerka@tcd.ie
Abstract
Background: Treatment dropout continues to be reported from internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT)
interventions, and lower completion rates are generally associated with lower treatment effect sizes. However, evidence is emerging
to suggest that completion of a predefined number of modules is not always necessary for clinical benefit or consideration of the
needs of each individual patient.
Objective: The aim of this study is to perform a qualitative analysis of patients' experiences with an iCBT intervention in a
routine care setting to achieve a deeper insight into the phenomenon of dropout.
Methods: A total of 15 purposively sampled participants (female: 8/15, 53%) from a larger parent randomized controlled trial
were interviewed via telephone using a semistructured interview schedule that was developed based on the existing literature and
research on dropout in iCBT. Data were analyzed using a descriptive-interpretive approach.
Results: The experience of treatment leading to dropout can be understood in terms of 10 domains: relationship to technology,
motivation to start, background knowledge and attitudes toward iCBT, perceived change in motivation, usage of the program,
changes due to the intervention, engagement with content, experience interacting with the supporter, experience of web-based
communication, and termination of the supported period.
Conclusions: Patients who drop out of treatment can be distinguished in terms of their change in motivation: those who felt
ready to leave treatment early and those who had negative reasons for dropping out. These 2 groups of participants have different
treatment experiences, revealing the potential attributes and nonattributes of dropout. The reported between-group differences
should be examined further to consider those attributes that are strongly descriptive of the experience and regarded less important
than those that have become loosely affiliated.
(JMIR Form Res 2021;5(11):e26221) doi: 10.2196/26221
KEYWORDS
depression; anxiety; iCBT; dropout; internet interventions
JMIR Form Res 2021 | vol. 5 | iss. 11 | e26221 | p. 1 https://formative.jmir.org/2021/11/e26221
(page number not for citation purposes)
Lawler et al JMIR FORMATIVE RESEARCH
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