Efficacy, Safety, and Acceptability of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The Depression Auxiliary Intervention Treatment Software (WL-iCBT) is a mobile application for smartphones that delivers cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and cognitive bias modification (CBM) through structured interactive multimedia methods, including animations, videos, audio, and interactive exercises.

The placebo control software (WL-iHE) is a mobile application that mimics the appearance and usage pattern of the active intervention software but lacks the therapeutic cognitive behavioral therapy components. The software has a similar user interface and time requirements, with participants using it once daily for 10-15 minutes, completing a total of 56 sessions over the 8-week treatment period. Unlike the active intervention, the placebo software does not deliver structured cognitive behavioral therapy content or cognitive bias modification training, instead providing general health education information without specific depression treatment techniques.