REBT AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES: A SYNOPSIS
Professor Daniel David, Ph.D.
November, 2017

Recently, REBT has merged with advanced technologies to better and innovatively address various problems (e.g., human optimization, health promotion/prevention of mental disorders, and treatment). We present several prototype approaches in which the psychological treatments were informed by both REBT and technology. Additional trials are published, ongoing, and/or planned.

  1. WEB-BASED (with gamification): DCombat – REBT for Depression

This is an ongoing trial using REBT-based web/game to counter depressive symptoms.
The trial protocol has been published:

  • Giosan, C., Cobeanu, O., Mogoase, C., Szentagotai, A., Muresan, V, & Boian, R. (2017). Reducing depressive symptomatology with a smartphone app: study protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Trials, 18,215. The full text is available here
  1. AVATAR-BASED: Help4Mood – REBT/CBT for Major Depresive Disorder

The pilot trial has been published:

For a presentation movie please see here

  1. INTERNET-BASED: REBT/CBT for Social Anxiety

The trial has been published:

  • Tulbure, B., Szentagotai, A., David, O., Stefan, S., Mansson, K., David, D., & Andersson, G. (2015). Internet-Delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder in Romania: A Randomized Controlled Trial, PLoS One, 10(5): e0123997. The full text is available here
  1. APPS-BASED: PsyPills

This is a self-help REBT-based app for emotion regulation. A testing trial is currently ongoing.

  1. GAMING AND ROBOT-BASED: REThink – RETMAN

This is an REBT-based game to promote emotional resilience in children and adolescents. The trial is ongoing.

  1. VIRTUAL/AUGMENTED REALITY-BASED

This is an REBT-based virtual reality psychological treatment for anxiety disorders (e.g.,
flight anxiety). The trial is currently ongoing.