"Method
A total of 62 participants suffering from depression were randomly assigned to the therapist-supported internet-based intervention group (n=32) and to the face-to-face intervention (n=30)."
"Limitations
Due to the small sample size, it will be important to evaluate these outcomes in adequately-powered trials."
"Conclusions
This study shows that an internet-based intervention for depression is equally beneficial to regular face-to-face therapy. However, more long term efficacy, indicated by continued symptom reduction three months after treatment, could be only be found for the online group.
"
They go in depth into the limitations of the study in section 4.1, but in a nutshell the sample size was too small and heterogeneous. I look forward to seeing more research in this area, but one cannot make the claim "Psychotherapy via Internet found as good as or better than face-to-face" just yet.
> one cannot make the claim "Psychotherapy via Internet found as good as or better than face-to-face" just yet.
Actually, they did find it as good or better, just not conclusively.... not that one ever could.
(I agree with the analysis—a larger sample size is definitely needed—but I get annoyed by people who discard studies entirely. This is far, far better than no study.)
I think there's actually an argument not to discuss these small pilot studies outside of the immediate community of researchers. The studies aren't powered to detect a difference, and history tells us we're more likely to be mislead than enlightened by interpreting the results of small trials.
"Method A total of 62 participants suffering from depression were randomly assigned to the therapist-supported internet-based intervention group (n=32) and to the face-to-face intervention (n=30)."
"Limitations Due to the small sample size, it will be important to evaluate these outcomes in adequately-powered trials."
"Conclusions This study shows that an internet-based intervention for depression is equally beneficial to regular face-to-face therapy. However, more long term efficacy, indicated by continued symptom reduction three months after treatment, could be only be found for the online group. "
They go in depth into the limitations of the study in section 4.1, but in a nutshell the sample size was too small and heterogeneous. I look forward to seeing more research in this area, but one cannot make the claim "Psychotherapy via Internet found as good as or better than face-to-face" just yet.