MoodGYM Review

One study looked at the use of MoodGYM to improve overall mental well-being amongst a general population. This was measured primarily using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Secondary outcomes measures were the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), EuroQol Group 5-Dimension Self-Report Questionnaire (EQ-5D) quality of life scores, physical activity, and health service use. Participants were randomly assigned to a wait-list control group. 1529 out of 3070 recruited participants completed the final follow-up after 12 weeks (1123 out of 1536 in the control group, and 406 out of 1535 in the intervention group). Results showed significant improvements for the intervention group at 12 weeks for the WEBWMS scale. There were also significant improvements in self-rated scores of depression and anxiety. It is worth noting the high rates of attrition that is seen when web-based interventions are administered without coaching or the support of a therapist or provider. (Powell, J., Hamborg, T., Stallard, N., Burls, A., McSorley, J., Bennett, K., … & Christensen, H. 2013. https://www.jmir.org/2013/1/e2)

Another study looked at the use of MoodGYM in a clinical setting. 149 clients who were a part of public mental health programs were chosen to participate, and were randomized to wait list control and treatment conditions. There were high rates of dropout from the program, and at the end data was analyzed for 28 MoodGYM (treatment) participants and 38 wait list control participants. Results showed that MoodGYM was significantly more effective for reducing symptoms of general psychological distress and stress, but not depression, anxiety, or impaired daily functioning. It is once again worth noting the high rates of attrition seen when web-based interventions are provided as front-line treatments. (Twomey, C., O’Reilly, G., Byrne, M., Bury, M., White, A., Kissane, S., … & Clancy, N. 2014. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjc.12055?casa_token=VUh4LQAC1bwAAAAA:aCgpGrVrAP-GoYq0_CadOcdRmbcJXyeeylsuuZLeu7e7UTuUWLEHp9kAxy3fpHqDoQQ43SjrnOYJfd9pGg)

Another study looked at the use of MoodGYM as an intervention for reducing suicidal ideation in medical interns. Interns were randomly assigned to a control group (N=99), or a treatment group (N=100). The authors used the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to measure suicidal ideation. The results showed that interns assigned to the treatment group were 60% less likely to endorse suicidal ideation during their internship year. (Guille, C., Zhao, Z., Krystal, J., Nichols, B., Brady, K., & Sen, S. 2015. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2467822?casa_token=n58ochULz5oAAAAA:naBtLBZj7T-kIv95-ZUPfhwq9XECOwBCY70_RPQ6Eav53IF4Z1h0Ksxv4_HXMJ5t0jskKsKigM7H)

An acceptability study was done in 2014 which found that web-based CBT interventions as first-aid for mild to moderate mental health problems have broad acceptability. (Schneider, J., Foroushani, P. S., Grime, P., & Thornicroft, G. 2014. https://www.jmir.org/2014/3/e90/)