Impact of waiting time on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of stepped care guided self-help followed by face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy versus standalone face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN14990924 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14990924 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | Nil known |
| Sponsor | Helsinki University Hospital |
| Funder | Sosiaali- ja Terveysministeriö |
- Submission date
- 27/09/2024
- Registration date
- 08/10/2024
- Last edited
- 07/07/2025
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Anxiety is among the most prevalent mental health conditions, particularly in Western countries. Access to treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in publicly funded primary care settings is frequently insufficient and delayed. This study aims to assess the impact of waiting times on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a stepped care approach, which begins with guided self-help (GSH) followed by face-to-face CBT, compared to directly referring patients to face-to-face CBT for anxiety.
Who can participate?
Adults (16+ years) experiencing anxiety symptoms who are suitable for step 1 or step 2 treatments (such as GSH or CBT) in the Finnish public healthcare system
What does the study involve?
First, the participants will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: face-to-face CBT or GSH. Second, the participants will be randomly allocated into two waiting time groups, i.e. <4 weeks and >5 weeks. Those who do not respond adequately to GSH will be offered further treatment with face-to-face CBT. Participants will complete symptom measures at various stages over the course of the study to track changes in their mental health.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The study aims to enhance access to effective, evidence-based, and timely treatments for anxiety within public healthcare systems. All participants will receive treatment that is at least equivalent to the standard care available outside the study. The potential risks are minimal and comparable to existing treatment options; however, if symptoms worsen, participants will be promptly referred to appropriate care.
Where is the study run from?
Helsinki University Hospital (Finland)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2024 to December 2029
Who is funding the study?
The study is primarily funded by EU-Next Generation grants distributed from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Finland.
Who is the main contact?
Prof. Suoma Saarni, suoma.saarni@hus.fi
Contact information
Scientific, Principal investigator
HUS Psychiatry, Välskärinkatu 12
Helsinki
00029
Finland
 ORCID ID |
0000-0003-3555-9958 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +358 (0)94711 |
| suoma.saarni@hus.fi |
Public
HUS Psychiatry, Välskärinkatu 12
Helsinki
00029
Finland
| Phone | +358 (0)94711 |
|---|---|
| katariina.m.mattila@hus.fi |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomized controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Participant information sheet | 46144 PIS.pdf |
| Scientific title | Impact of waiting time on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of stepped care guided self-help followed by face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy versus standalone face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety: a randomized controlled trial of the Finnish firstline therapies initiative |
| Study acronym | FLT-Step |
| Study objectives | Current study objectives as of 07/07/2025: Primary hypothesis: P1. Longer waiting times for the study interventions are associated with poorer treatment response in anxiety symptoms at the primary measurement point (6 months after enrollment) in both study interventions: 1. A stepped care model (sequential guided self-help followed by face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] for non-responders) 2. Direct admission to face-to-face CBT Secondary hypotheses: S1. If non-inferiority is demonstrated, effectiveness of the stepped care model (sequential GSH followed by fCBT for non-responders) is superior compared to directly admitting patients to fCBT when treating clinical anxiety symptoms (baseline score of ≥10 p on GAD-7), assessed at six months after enrollment. S2. The cost-effectiveness of stepped care (sequential GSH followed by CBT for non-responders) is better than directing all patients with anxiety symptoms directly to CBT regardless of the waiting time. S3. The studied stepped care model (sequential GSH followed by CBT for non-responders) is cost-saving in the long term compared to matched population controls, when direct and indirect health care, social care, employment, and societal costs are controlled. S4. Data collected by the Finnish Therapy Navigator, a digital tool to help assess individual needs and symptom profiles for psychotherapy can be used to predict responses to treatment. S5. Primary care patients with anxiety symptoms benefit from psychotherapeutic interventions, in terms of reduced risk of developing clinical episodes and reduced total long-term societal costs. S6. Longer waiting times for the study treatments are associated with poorer overall long-term outcomes when direct and indirect health care, social care, employment, and societal costs are considered _____ Previous study objectives: Primary hypothesis: P1. Longer waiting times for the study interventions are associated with poorer treatment response in anxiety symptoms at the primary measurement point (6 months after enrollment) in both study interventions: 1. A stepped care model (sequential guided self-help followed by face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] for non-responders) 2. Direct admission to face-to-face CBT Secondary hypotheses: S1. The effectiveness of the stepped care model (sequential guided self-help [GSH] followed by face-to-face CBT for non-responders) is better compared to directly admitting patients to CBT regardless of the waiting time when treating clinical anxiety symptoms (baseline score of ≥10 GAD-7), assessed at 6 months after enrollment. S2. The cost-effectiveness of stepped care (sequential GSH followed by CBT for non-responders) is better than directing all patients with anxiety symptoms directly to CBT regardless of the waiting time. S3. The studied stepped care model (sequential GSH followed by CBT for non-responders) is cost-saving in the long term compared to matched population controls, when direct and indirect health care, social care, employment, and societal costs are controlled. S4. Data collected by the Finnish Therapy Navigator, a digital tool to help assess individual needs and symptom profiles for psychotherapy can be used to predict responses to treatment. S5. Primary care patients with anxiety symptoms benefit from psychotherapeutic interventions, in terms of reduced risk of developing clinical episodes and reduced total long-term societal costs. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 27/06/2024, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) Regional Committee on Medical Research Ethics (PO BOX 705, 00029, Finland, Helsinki, 00029, Finland; +358 (0)9471 71607; eetinen.toimikunta@hus.fi), ref: HUS/6234/2023 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Anxiety |
| Intervention | Participants will be randomized to the following treatment arms (1:1) (performed using the randomization feature of the REDCap application): 1. Stepped care model: guided self-help (GSH, average number of sessions 3) followed by face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT, average number of sessions 7) for non-responders 2. Face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT average number of sessions 7) Both arms will be further randomized to those who begin the intervention: 1. Less than 4 weeks after the randomization and 2. More than 5 weeks after the randomization The duration of treatments in the study arms are as follows: 1. Sequential treatment of guided self-help and face-to-face CBT (stepped care): approximately 3 months for anxiety 2. Face-to-face CBT: approximately 2 months for anxiety All study arms have a post-treatment measurement point (at the end of treatment). After that, the following follow-up points after randomization are the same for all study arms: 1. 4 months after randomization 2. 6 months after randomization (primary outcome measurement point) 3. 8 months after randomization 4. 12 months after randomization 5. Follows ups at 2 and 5 years |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Anxiety symptoms measured by the GAD-7. The GAD-7 is administered weekly from the beginning of the intervention for 16 weeks and at follow-up timepoints (e.g. 4, 6, 8, and 12 months as well as 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years) to enable ITT (intention to treat) -analysis and modeling the symptom change in time. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Psychotropic medication use is measured using patient self-reports at baseline (T0), 4-month follow-up (T3), 6-month follow-up, 8-month (T4), 12-month, 2-year follow-ups, and optional 5, 10, 15, and 20-year follow-ups (T5). |
| Completion date | 31/12/2029 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 16 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 115 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Minimum age of 16 years 2. Suitable for step 1-2 treatments (GSH and/or CBT intervention) for anxiety in the first assessment 3. GAD-7 ≥10 p |
| Key exclusion criteria | General exclusion criteria for step 1-2 treatments (i.e. recommended stepping up): 1. Serious suicidal thoughts, plans or any self-harming act or suicidal attempt within the past 2 months 2. Ongoing other psychological treatment for depression and/or anxiety 3. Cognitive impairment 4. Inability to speak, read and write Finnish 5. Currently symptomatic psychotic illness or bipolar disorder 6. Drug or alcohol dependence |
| Date of first enrolment | 16/09/2024 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/12/2026 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Finland
Study participating centre
33101 Tampere
Tampere
33101
Finland
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan | The data will be held by the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District, and it will not be available because of limitations caused by the Finnish data protection legislation, content of consent requested, and research permit. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | 07/10/2024 | No | Yes | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- 46144 PIS.pdf
- Participant information sheet
Editorial Notes
07/07/2025: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The study objectives were changed.
2. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
30/09/2024: Study's existence confirmed by Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) Regional Committee on Medical Research Ethics.
