An internet-based problem-solving training to reduce strain in teachers

ISRCTN ISRCTN15635876
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15635876
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
05/06/2012
Registration date
28/08/2012
Last edited
03/06/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Teachers are highly affected by strain-related health problems such as depression. Recent studies have shown the effectiveness of Internet-based problem-solving therapy for symptoms of depression and strain. This study aims to test the efficacy of an Internet-based problem-solving training, adapted to the specific situation of the teachers, when compared to a waiting-list control group.

Who can participate?
Teachers with a heightened level of strain, indicated by self-rated depressive symptoms.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated into two groups. Participants in the intervention group take part in a five-week online problem-solving training program, consisting of one lesson per week including weekly assignments and feedback by trained online coaches. Participants in the wait-list control group will get access to the training 6 months later. Self-reported symptoms of depression, strain, worrying, problem-solving skills, self-efficacy and quality of life are assessed at four points (at the start of the study, just after the training, and 3 and 6 months after the training ends).

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from improvements in depression, strain, worrying, self-efficacy, problem solving skills and mental health in general. There are no known risks of participating in the study.

Where is the study run from?
Department of Mental Health, Leuphana University, Lueneburg, Germany.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study started in April 2012 and ended in December 2013.

Who is funding the study?
European Union.

Who is the main contact?
David Daniel Ebert
ebert@inkubator.leuphana.de

Study website

Contact information

Mr David Daniel Ebert
Scientific

University, Lueneburg
Volgershall 1
Lüneburg
21339
Germany

Phone +49 (0)4131677 5197
Email ebert@inkubator.leuphana.de

Study information

Study designProspective randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeQuality of life
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleAn internet-based problem-solving training to reduce strain in teachers: a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a guided self-help problem-solving training
Study objectivesInternet-based problem-solving training is more effective in reducing depressive symptoms than a wait-list control group.

On 11/02/2013 the target number of participants was changed from 180 to 152.
Ethics approval(s)Local Ethical Committee, Department for Psychology, Phillips-University of Marburg, Germany, 12/03/2012, ref: AZ: 2012-06K
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedDepressive symptoms
InterventionThe treatment group has access to an Internet-based training program that consists of five lessons (one per week). The intervention is based on an empirically evaluated online-based problem-solving intervention (van Straten et al., 2008; Warmerdam et al., 2008), adapted to the specific situation of teachers. The lessons include information and examples of how problems can be solved in a systematic way, how to handle unsolvable problems and how to improve well-being by boosting important things in their lives. Participants receive feedback to weekly assignments by trained online coaches.

Participants in the wait-list control group will get access to the same training 6 months after baseline assessment.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureCenter for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)

Baseline assessment: 1 week before allocation to treatment groups (enrollment is still ongoing; first participant were assessed for baseline on 9th April)

Post-assessment: 7 weeks after allocation to treatment 3-months follow-up: 3 months after allocation to treatment 6-months follow-up: 6 months after allocation to treatment
Secondary outcome measures1. Social Problem Solving Inventory (SPSI-R)
2. Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ)
3. Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)
4. Self-efficacy Scale (SWE)
5. Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)
6. Short-Form Health Questionnaire (SF-12)

Baseline Assessment: 1 week before allocation to treatment groups (enrollment is still ongoing; first participant was assessed for baseline on 9th April)

Post-Assessment: 7 weeks after allocation to treatment 3-months follow-up: 3 months after allocation to treatment 6-months follow-up: 6 months after allocation to treatment
Overall study start date15/04/2012
Completion date01/12/2013

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants152
Total final enrolment150
Key inclusion criteriaTeachers with a heightened level of depressive symptoms [self-rated score higher than 16 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)]
Key exclusion criteriaParticipants with suicide ideation at time of recruitment [by a score higher than 1 on the suicide ideation question of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)]
Date of first enrolment15/04/2012
Date of final enrolment01/12/2013

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Germany

Study participating centre

University, Lueneburg
Lüneburg
21339
Germany

Sponsor information

Investment & Development Bank of Lower Saxony - NBank (Germany)
Government

[Investitions- und Förderbank Niedersachsen – NBank]
Günther-Wagner-Allee 12 - 16
Hannover
30177
Germany

Email info@nbank.de
Website http://www.nbank.de/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03h3mye18

Funders

Funder type

Government

European Union (EU)

No information available

State of Lower Saxony (Germany)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/11/2014 03/06/2020 Yes No

Editorial Notes

03/06/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.