These internet-based solutions are designed to support patients with social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorders in children, and they have been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for their efficacy and accessibility.
Despite the UK government's commitment to allocate 8.9% of NHS funding to mental health last year, the increasing demand for mental health services outpaces the supply of new facilities and trained staff. This gap in care necessitates immediate, scalable solutions. The newly developed online therapies by Oxford’s experts aim to fill this gap by offering accessible, effective treatment options that require less therapist time and provide excellent patient outcomes.
A new era in mental health treatment
“These four mental health digital therapies are a fantastic example of the world-class expertise within the University of Oxford,” says Simon Warner, head of licensing and ventures at Oxford University Innovation. “They enable us to launch cutting-edge therapies with our industry partner Koa Health. The therapies are tried and tested and now readily available to help change the lives of people suffering from mental health conditions.”
Developed with funding from Wellcome and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), these digitally enabled programmes are designed to be accessible 24/7, allowing patients to receive therapist-assisted treatment from the comfort of their homes. This innovative approach has been trialled successfully in clinics across the UK, demonstrating its potential to reduce the burden on the NHS by providing sustainable and efficient solutions.
Widespread implementation and impact
The therapies, which will be made available through NHS partners, are set to be rolled out initially in regions including West Sussex, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, Bradford, North Tyneside, and London. “Koa Health is committed to delivering scalable, evidence-based interventions for mental health,” says Oliver Harrison, CEO at Koa Health. “The programmes developed by the Oxford teams can lower the barriers to care, deliver excellent outcomes, and reduce the cost to health services. This means our NHS can treat more people and improve mental health across the population.”
Clinical validation and expert endorsements
Clinical trials conducted by the University of Oxford team have shown the significant impact of these online platforms. Professor Cathy Creswell, a psychologist at the University of Oxford, highlights the urgent need for these solutions: “Recent surveys suggest ongoing increases in the number of children and young people experiencing anxiety problems. Our online platforms provide practical tools with guidance and support to help tackle issues from home.”
Professor David Clark adds: “Social anxiety disorder starts in childhood and is remarkably persistent in the absence of treatment. Internet programmes that deliver optimal treatment for both adolescents and adults have the potential to transform lives.”
Professor Anke Ehlers, who led the work on PTSD, highlights the effectiveness of these therapies: “We’ve tested the digital therapy with patients who have PTSD from a broad range of traumas. Recovery rates and improvements in quality of life are excellent. Our clients value being able to work on the treatment from home at a convenient time.”
Future prospects
With the UK government unlocking £250 million for digital therapeutics in the recent spring budget, there is significant potential for further expansion and innovation in this field. Prof Miranda Wolpert, director of mental health at Wellcome, says: “These important online therapies have arisen from more than three decades of thorough science. Digital therapies have the potential to transform millions of people’s lives around the world.”
As the team at the University of Oxford, Koa Health, and Oxford University Innovation work together to maximize the adoption of these therapies, the future of mental health care looks promising. Dr John Pimm, clinical and professional lead for Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies, and Dr Jon Wheatley, clinical lead at City and Hackney, NHS North East London, have both expressed their support for integrating these innovative treatments into their services.
The new online therapies from Oxford University represent a significant step forward in addressing the mental health crisis, offering hope and effective solutions to patients across the UK and potentially around the globe.
