(PS11-85) Online Group Teletherapy Based on the Unified Protocol in Argentina: Preliminary Results of a Controlled Study

Abstract Text: Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent disorders globally and locally (WHO, 2017). Although there are validated treatments for them, in low and middle-income countries a large percentage of the population (60%-80%) does not have access to available treatments (Pérez-Padilla et.al, 2017). The WHO suggests that including digital technologies in psychotherapeutic treatments could be a way to reduce the treatment access gap. The Unified Protocol (UP) is a transdiagnostic intervention focused on emotional regulation that allows a more cost-effective approach than specific protocols, especially when applied in groups. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of applying the PU in a group setting and via teletherapy in an Argentinean population with emotional disorders. The sample has been recruited through flyers at the university, social networks and dissemination among colleagues, in the framework of a UBACYT research project of the University of Buenos Aires. For this purpose, an experimental, prospective, and longitudinal parallel-group study is being conducted. The intervention consists of 10 sessions of 1.5 hours duration, and so far, 16 subjects from the PU group (62.5% female, mean age 36) and 15 from the control group (73.3% female, mean age 36) have participated.
Multilevel models including the time-condition interaction were run for the variables Neuroticism (Y11 = -0.92, ES = 0.26, 95%CI[-1.43, -0.41], t(27) = -3.56, p < . 001), Emotional Dysregulation (Y11 = -2.73, ES = 0.59, 95%CI[-3.91, -1.56], t(227) = -4.65, p < .001) and Depression (Y11 = -1.44, ES = 0.31, 95%CI[-2.05, -0.83], t(27) = -4.67, p < .001). A difference in anxiety levels was observed in the TTO group before and after the intervention when compared with a Student's t-test (t(15)= 4.52, 95%CI[4.78 - 13.34], p < .001; d = .96). No differences were observed in the CTRL group before and after the intervention. Differences between groups were observed at the end of treatment when comparing anxiety levels with a Wilcoxon test (W = 150.5, p < .05). Significant differences in all variables have been found in the experimental group, but not in the control group. These preliminary results are promising about the cultural adaptation of this intervention and are expected to allow greater access to psychological treatments for the population.