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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Study protocol

Evaluating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of web-based indicated prevention of major depression: design of a randomised controlled trial

Authors: Claudia Buntrock, David D Ebert, Dirk Lehr, Pim Cuijpers, Heleen Riper, Filip Smit, Matthias Berking

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) imposes a considerable disease burden on individuals and societies. Web-based interventions have shown to be effective in reducing depressive symptom severity. However, it is not known whether web-based interventions may also be effective in preventing the onset of MDD. The aim of this study is to evaluate the (cost-) effectiveness of an indicated web-based guided self-help intervention (GET.ON Mood Enhancer Prevention) on the onset of MDD.

Methods/Design

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to compare the (cost-) effectiveness of the GET.ON Mood Enhancer Prevention training with a control condition exclusively receiving online-based psychoeducation on depression. Adults with subthreshold depression (N = 406) will be recruited from the general population and randomised to one of the two conditions. The primary outcome is time to onset of MDD within a 12-months follow-up period. MDD will be assessed according to DSM-IV criteria as assessed by the telephone-administered Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). Time to onset of MDD will be assessed using life charts. Secondary outcomes include changes on various indicators of depressive symptom severity, anxiety and quality of life from baseline to post-treatment, to a 6-month and a 12-month follow up. Additionally, an economic evaluation using a societal perspective will be conducted to examine the intervention’s cost-effectiveness.

Discussion

This is one of the first randomised controlled trials that examines the effect of an indicated guided self-help web-based intervention on the incidence of major depression. If shown to be effective, the intervention will contribute to reducing the disease burden due to MDD in the general population.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trial Registration DRKS00004709.

Available only for authorised users

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/14/25/prepub

Title: Evaluating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of web-based indicated prevention of major depression: design of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Claudia Buntrock
David D Ebert
Dirk Lehr
Pim Cuijpers
Heleen Riper
Filip Smit
Matthias Berking
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-14-25

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Evaluating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of web-based indicated prevention of major depression: design of a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Methods/Design

Discussion

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods/Design

Discussion

Trial registration

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