This study compared in-person and remote group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for adolescents with mood disorders or psychosis-risk syndromes. Participants aged 13-17 completed 9 sessions of CBT either in-person (2018-2019) or remotely (2020-2021), and provided self-reports on psychiatric symptoms, psychosocial functioning, emotional regulation, treatment satisfaction, and burden. The results showed no significant differences between in-person and remote treatments in improving psychiatric symptoms, psychosocial functioning, or emotional regulation. However, remote treatment had higher retention rates and reported lower treatment burden compared to in-person treatment, while satisfaction levels were similar across both formats.

Although the study found no significant differences in treatment efficacy between the two formats, remote group CBT provided a comparable psychiatric benefit with reduced burden. This suggests that remote treatment could be a viable alternative to in-person sessions for youth with mood disorders or psychosis-risk syndromes, offering similar therapeutic outcomes with potentially greater convenience. However, the lack of randomization and the differing frames of reference for participants before and during the COVID-19 pandemic are important limitations to consider.

Reference: Weintraub MJ, Ichinose MC, Zinberg JL, et al. In-person versus remote CBT groups during COVID-19 for adolescents with mood disorders or psychosis-risk syndromes. J Affect Disord. 2023 Nov 15;341:346-348. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.119. Epub 2023 Aug 26. PMID: 37640111; PMCID: PMC10695278.