A recent study reveals that text-based therapy can be as effective as video therapy in treating depression. Published in JAMA Network Open, the research involved collaboration between the University of Washington School of Medicine and the telehealth platform Talkspace. The study findings suggest that patients receiving therapy through messaging experienced similar improvements in their mental health as those who participated in live video sessions.
The research examined the outcomes of 850 adults who engaged in therapy through Talkspace, either via message-based communication or weekly video sessions. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two formats for a period of 12 weeks. After six weeks, individuals who did not show significant improvement were re-randomized to receive a combination of both therapy types.
At the conclusion of the study, results indicated comparable enhancements in depression symptoms and social functioning for both groups. Notably, those who participated in video sessions were slightly more likely to disengage early in their treatment compared to those using message-based therapy.
The authors of the study attributed the effectiveness of text-based therapy to its inherent flexibility, which may encourage greater patient engagement. They emphasized that if insurance coverage for message-based therapy is expanded, it could lead to increased accessibility for individuals seeking mental health support.
This research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the efficacy of digital therapy methods. As mental health continues to be a critical public health issue, these findings may influence the acceptance and integration of text-based therapeutic options within conventional treatment frameworks.
In light of these insights, mental health professionals and policymakers may want to consider how best to utilize these findings to enhance patient care and improve accessibility to mental health services.