Depression and anxiety - computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT): review proposal - September 2011

Partial review of TA97; Computerised cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety (focusing on phobia aspect only)

Proposal to update the recommendation into a current ongoing guideline

As you may be aware the planned date for review of the above guidance is August 2011. 

This is the date at which the Institute decides whether sufficient new evidence has emerged for the Appraisal Committee to be asked to undertake a full review appraisal. 

The recommendations in this technology appraisal relating to the treatment of depression have been replaced by recommendations in the two depression clinical guidelines (CG90 and CG91) published in October 2009.

A decision was also made in December 2008 to review the parts of the appraisal relating to anxiety, panic and obsessive compulsive disorder in the respective guidelines. The present review proposal therefore focuses on the remaining aspect (phobia) only.

Having re-looked at the technology appraisal and the possible scope for updating the guidance, we believe that:

• Recommendations of TA97 that deal with phobia should be updated within the ongoing clinical guideline on the recognition, assessment and treatment of social anxiety disorder.
• Recommendation 1.3 of TA97 will be withdrawn on publication of the clinical guideline unless the guidance is unchanged.  

In order to be completely confident that this is appropriate, we are asking all relevant consultees and commentators, to inform us of any evidence which will help us decide the best way to update this guidance. 

Please see appendix A for a full list of the organisations we have contacted. 

September 2011