Professor i klinisk psykologi
There is a recurring debate on the role of the serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) in the moderation of response to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in anxiety disorders. Results, however, are still inconclusive. In a new study, published today, we performed a meta-analysis on the role of 5-HTTLPR in the moderation of CBT … Read more
Today we published a new paper in World Psychiatry (impact factor = 34). Although impressive progress has been made toward developing empirically‐supported psychological treatments, the reality remains that a significant proportion of people with mental health problems do not receive these treatments. Finding ways to reduce this treatment gap is crucial. Since app‐supported smartphone interventions … Read more
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common mental disorder with high persistence when untreated. As access to effective treatment is limited, guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) has been proposed as an effective alternative to face-to-face treatment. In a new study, that was published today, we examined the effectiveness of a 14-week therapist-guided ICBT program … Read more
The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) stepped care model (psychoeducation, guided Internet treatment, and face-to-face CBT) compared with direct face-to-face (FtF) CBT. Patients with panic disorder or social anxiety disorder were randomized to either stepped care (n = 85) or direct FtF CBT (n = … Read more
There is need for more cost and time effective treatments for depression. This is the first randomised controlled trial in which a blended treatment – including four face-to-face sessions and a smartphone application – was compared against a full behavioural treatment. Hence, the aim of the current paper was to examine whether a blended smartphone … Read more
Today I was a so called Keynote speaker in Antwerp (Belgium). It was the Flemish section of our Association for (cognitive) Behaviour Therapy that organized its yearly conference. The congress had more than 200 participants, and my keynote was “the center piece of the educational program”. The talk was entitled “Is internet-delivered CBT as effective as … Read more
Today a paper I coauthoered was published in BMJ Open. The paper is a protocol for a randomised controlled trial dealing with dizziness. Unfortunately dizziness is highly prevalent in older adults and can lead to falls, fear of falling, loss of confidence, anxiety and depression. Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) exercises are effective in reducing dizziness due … Read more
Today a new paper entitled “Group versus Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for procrastination: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial” was accepted. Procrastination is defined as a voluntarily delay of an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse-off for the delay, and is considered a persistent behavior pattern that can result in major psychological … Read more
Today a new study was published. The aim of that randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effects of guided internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sixty-two participants with chronic PTSD, as assessed by the Clinician-administered PTSD Scale, were recruited via nationwide advertising and randomized to either treatment (n = 31) … Read more
In this study, just published in Journal of Anxiety Disorders, a previously evaluated guided Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy for social anxiety disorder was adapted for mobile phone administration. The treatment was compared with a guided self-help treatment based on interpersonal psychotherapy. The treatment platform could be accessed through smartphones, tablet computers, and standard computers. A … Read more