Question

    Online programs to fight depression are already commercially available. While they sound efficient and cost-saving, a recent study reports that they’re not effective, primarily because depressed patients are not likely to engage with them or stick with them.

The study looked at computer-assisted cognitive(认知的) behavioral therapy (CBT) and found that it was no more effective in treating depression than the usual care patients receive from a primary care doctor.

Traditional CBT is considered an effective form of talk therapy for depression, helping people challenge negative thoughts and change the way they think in order to change their mood and behaviors. However, online CBT programs have been gaining popularity, with the attraction of providing low-cost help wherever someone has access to a computer.

A team of researchers from the University of York conducted a randomized(随机的) control trial with 691 depressed patients from 83 physician practices across England. The patients were split into three groups: one group received only usual care from a physician while the other two groups received usual care from a physician plus one of computerized CBT programs. Participants were balanced across the three groups for age, sex, educational background, severity and duration of depression, and use of antidepressants(抗抑郁药).

After four months, the patients using the computerized CBT programs had no improvement in depression levels over the patients who were only getting usual care from their doctors.

“It’s an important, cautionary note that we shouldn’t get too carried away with the idea that a computer system can replace doctors and therapists.” says Christopher Dowrick, a professor of primary medical care at the University of Liverpool. “We do still need the human touch or the human interaction, particularly when people are depressed.”

“Being depressed can mean feeling in your own small, negative, dark world,” Dowrick says. Having a person, instead of a computer, reach out to you is particularly important in combating that sense of isolation. “When you’re emotionally vulnerable(脆弱的), you’re even more in need of a caring human being.” he says.

1.Why have online CBT programs been increasingly popular?

A.Because of their easy and inexpensive access by patients.

B.Because of their effectiveness in fighting depression.

C.Because of their recommendation by primary care doctors.

D.Because of their attraction of changing mood and behavior.

2.What is the conclusion of the experiment done by researchers at the University of York?

A.The online programs are more advanced than regular care from physicians.

B.The combination of traditional CBT and computerized CBT is most effective.

C.Online CBT programs are as ineffective as regular care from physicians.

D.Online CBT programs have no advantages over regular care from physicians.

3.Which of the following can best convey Professor Dowrick’s advice on online programs?

A.They should be used to help people touch these patients.

B.They should not be ignored in primary care.

C.Their effectiveness should not be overestimated.

D.Their use should be encouraged by doctors.

4.What is more important to an emotionally vulnerable person?

A.A positive state of mind. B.An advanced CBT program.

C.A devoted doctor. D.Human interaction.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.C

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。本文主要说明了对抗抑郁症的在线项目已经商业化了。虽然它们听起来很有效，而且节省成本，但最近的一项研究报告称，它们并不有效，主要是因为抑郁症患者不太可能与它们接触或坚持。文章说明了一项随机对照试验的过程和结果，以及相关人员对计算机辅助认知行为疗法（CBT）的看法。

1.细节理解题。根据第三段中However, online CBT programs have been gaining popularity, with the attraction of providing low-cost help wherever someone has access to a computer.可知在线CBT程序已变得越来越流行，其吸引人之处在于，只要有人可以访问计算机，便可以提供低成本的帮助。由此可知，网络CBT项目越来越受欢迎因为它们容易获得，而且价格低廉。故选A。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段The study looked at computer-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and found that it was no more effective in treating depression than the usual care patients receive from a primary care doctor.可知该研究对计算机辅助认知行为疗法（CBT）进行了研究，发现该疗法在治疗抑郁症方面并不比从初级保健医生那里获得的常规护理更有效。由此可知，约克大学研究人员的实验结论表明在线CBT项目与医生的常规护理相比没有优势。故选D。

3.推理判断题。根据倒数第二段中“It’s an important, cautionary note that we shouldn’t get too carried away with the idea that a computer system can replace doctors and therapists.” says Christopher Dowrick, a professor of primary medical care at the University of Liverpool. 可知“这是一个重要的警告，我们不应该被计算机系统可以取代医生和治疗师的想法冲昏头脑。”利物浦大学初级医疗保健教授Christopher Dowrick说。分析选项可推知，C选项“在线课程的效力不应被高估”符合Dowrick教授的观点。故选C。

4.细节理解题。根据最后一段中"When you’re emotionally vulnerable (脆弱的), you’re even more in need of a caring human being.” he says.可知“当你情绪脆弱时，你更需要一个有爱心的人。”他说。由此可知，四。对一个感情脆弱的人来说，人际交往更重要。故选D。