1. Efficacy of a Guided Web-Based Self-Management Intervention for Depression or Dysthymia: Randomized Controlled Trial With a 12-Month Follow-Up Using an Active Control Condition
- Author
-
Oehler, Caroline, Görges, Frauke, Rogalla, Mandy, Rummel-Kluge, Christine, and Hegerl, Ulrich
- Subjects
Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,R858-859.7 ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 - Abstract
BackgroundAn increasing number of studies suggest that web-based interventions for patients with depression can reduce their symptoms and are expected to fill currently existing treatment gaps. However, evidence for their efficacy has mainly been derived from comparisons with wait-list or treatment as usual controls. In particular, designs using wait-list controls are unlikely to induce hope and may even have nocebo effects, making it difficult to draw conclusions about the intervention’s efficacy. Studies using active controls are rare and have not yielded conclusive results. ObjectiveThe main objective of this study is to assess the acute and long-term antidepressant efficacy of a 6-week, guided, web-based self-management intervention building on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (iFightDepression tool) for patients with depression compared with web-based progressive muscle relaxation as an active control condition. MethodsA total of 348 patients with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms or dysthymia (according to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) were recruited online and randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 intervention arms. Acute antidepressant effects after 6 weeks and long-term effects at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up were studied using the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology–self-rating as a primary outcome parameter and change in quality of life (Short Form 12) and user satisfaction (client satisfaction questionnaire) as secondary outcome parameters. Treatment effects were assessed using mixed model analyses. ResultsOver the entire observation period, a greater reduction in symptoms of depression (P=.01) and a greater improvement of life quality (P
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF