Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Bias Modification in Internet-Based Interventions for Mood, Anxiety, and Substance Use Disorders

In this chapter, the theoretical background of (digital) cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is presented, along with cognitive bias modification (CBM), a novel set of interventions in which cognitive processes involved in a disorder are directly targeted. Next, the effectiveness of digital CBT and CBM for common mental health disorders (depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders, SUDs) is evaluated based on recent meta-analyses and supplemented with recent studies. Based on the reviewed literature, there is a reasonably strong evidence base for the effectiveness of digital CBT interventions for depression, anxiety, and SUDs. The evidence base for CBM interventions depends on the type of intervention and disorder. There is accumulating evidence that CBM training targeting interpretations reduces anxiety, but there is less evidence for its effects on depression. The evidence for emotional symptom reduction after CBM targeting attention is inconsistent. In SUD, there is accumulating evidence for increased abstinence after supplementing CBT treatment for alcohol use disorder for one type of CBM: approach bias modification, and preliminary, less consistent evidence for other types. Therefore, it is concluded that based on the currently available evidence, CBM could be a useful add-on to digital CBT in the clinical treatment of common mental health disorders.