TY - JOUR

T1 - GET.ON Mood Enhancer

T2 - Efficacy of Internet-based guided self-help compared to psychoeducation for depression: An investigator-blinded randomised controlled trial

AU - Ebert, David D.

AU - Lehr, Dirk

AU - Baumeister, Harald

AU - Boß, Leif

AU - Riper, Heleen

AU - Cuijpers, Pim

AU - Reins, Jo A.

AU - Buntrock, Claudia

AU - Berking, Matthias

PY - 2014/1/30

Y1 - 2014/1/30

N2 - Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) imposes a considerable disease burden on individuals and societies. A large number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have shown the efficacy of Internet-based guided self-help interventions in reducing symptoms of depression. However, study quality varies considerably. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a new Internet-based guided self-help intervention (GET.ON Mood Enhancer) compared to online-based psychoeducation in an investigator-blinded RCT.Methods/design: A RCT will be conducted to compare the efficacy of GET.ON Mood Enhancer with an active control condition receiving online psychoeducation on depression (OPD). Both treatment groups will have full access to treatment as usual. Adults with MDD (n = 128) will be recruited and randomised to one of the two conditions. Primary outcome will be observer-rated depressive symptoms (HRSD-24) by independent assessors blind to treatment conditions. Secondary outcomes include changes in self-reported depressive symptom severity, anxiety and quality of life. Additionally, potential negative effects of the treatments will systematically be evaluated on several dimensions (for example, symptom deteriorations, attitudes toward seeking psychological help, relationships and stigmatisation). Assessments will take place at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks after randomisation.Discussion: This study evaluates a new Internet-based guided self-help intervention for depression using an active control condition (psychoeducation-control) and an independent, blinded outcome evaluation. This study will further enhance the evidence for Internet-based guided self-help interventions for MDD.Trial registration: German Clinical Trial Registration (DRKS): DRKS00005025.

AB - Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) imposes a considerable disease burden on individuals and societies. A large number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have shown the efficacy of Internet-based guided self-help interventions in reducing symptoms of depression. However, study quality varies considerably. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a new Internet-based guided self-help intervention (GET.ON Mood Enhancer) compared to online-based psychoeducation in an investigator-blinded RCT.Methods/design: A RCT will be conducted to compare the efficacy of GET.ON Mood Enhancer with an active control condition receiving online psychoeducation on depression (OPD). Both treatment groups will have full access to treatment as usual. Adults with MDD (n = 128) will be recruited and randomised to one of the two conditions. Primary outcome will be observer-rated depressive symptoms (HRSD-24) by independent assessors blind to treatment conditions. Secondary outcomes include changes in self-reported depressive symptom severity, anxiety and quality of life. Additionally, potential negative effects of the treatments will systematically be evaluated on several dimensions (for example, symptom deteriorations, attitudes toward seeking psychological help, relationships and stigmatisation). Assessments will take place at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks after randomisation.Discussion: This study evaluates a new Internet-based guided self-help intervention for depression using an active control condition (psychoeducation-control) and an independent, blinded outcome evaluation. This study will further enhance the evidence for Internet-based guided self-help interventions for MDD.Trial registration: German Clinical Trial Registration (DRKS): DRKS00005025.

KW - Health sciences

KW - Active control

KW - Guided self-help

KW - Internet-based

KW - Major depressive disorder

KW - Negative effects of psychotherapy

KW - Randomised controlled trial

KW - Psychology

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84893194613&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/03a0eef7-07c6-3e08-846b-3533cf2e4e39/

U2 - 10.1186/1745-6215-15-39

DO - 10.1186/1745-6215-15-39

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 24476555

AN - SCOPUS:84893194613

VL - 15

JO - Trials

JF - Trials

SN - 1745-6215

IS - 1

M1 - 39

ER -