Comparing counselling and guided cognitive behavioural therapy self-help for low mood
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN60972025 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN60972025 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | CZH/4/723 |
- Submission date
- 31/05/2012
- Registration date
- 12/06/2012
- Last edited
- 17/08/2015
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Depression is a major public health issue. Persistent depressive symptoms below the threshold criteria for major depression is a chronic condition with a prolonged course and high risk of relapse or progression to major depressive episodes. Hence, it is important to establish which treatments for persistent sub-threshold depressive symptoms and mild depression are cost-effective and should therefore be provided in the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. We are carrying out an initial study comparing the results of two different psychological therapies for depression: counselling and low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy. This study will provide a number of estimates that are necessary for the design of the main study and will help to identify any potential problems that will need to be addressed before the main study.
Who can participate?
We aim to recruit 50 patients at five general practices in Glasgow with the diagnosis of persistent sub-threshold depressive symptoms and mild depression.
What does the study involve?
Patients will be randomly allocated to either eight weekly sessions of person-centred counselling or eight weeks of self-help cognitive-behavioural resources with telephone support. Person-centred counselling (PCC) is the most common psychological intervention offered in community settings in the UK. PCC focuses on the provision of an empathic, accepting, and genuine therapeutic relationship, which aims to foster patients' inner capacities and resources, promoting positive change. Guided self-help cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a recommended intervention for mild to moderate depression. It is termed a low intensity treatment because the amount of doctor time is limited compared to traditional high intensity expert-led treatments. Guided self-help CBT will be delivered through booklets and online resources.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants will receive either a course of eight sessions of person-centred counselling or eight telephone support sessions for guided self-help CBT. Access to psychological therapies in primary care is limited, so access to such treatments may be seen as a benefit for those participating in the trial. These treatments are widely used within primary care in the NHS. Any potential risks are therefore minimal. All participants will continue to be under the care of their GP for the duration of the trial and GP will be able to monitor any adverse effects.
Where is the study run from?
The study is organised by the University of Aberdeen, in collaboration with the University of Glasgow and University of Strathclyde.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
It is anticipated that recruitment will start in November 2012. Participants will be enrolled on the study for a period of 8 months. The overall duration of this project will be 15 months.
Who is funding the study?
The CLICD study is funded by a grant from the Chief Scientist Office, which is part of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates.
Who is the main contact?
Dr Elizabeth Freire
e.freire@abdn.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
University of Aberdeen
School of Education
Kings College
MacRobert Building
Aberdeen
AB24 5UA
United Kingdom
Study information
| Study design | Two-arm parallel-group randomised clinical trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised parallel trial |
| Study setting(s) | Not specified |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | Counselling versus Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for persistent subthreshold and mild Depression (CLICD): a pilot/feasibility randomised controlled trial |
| Study acronym | CLICD |
| Study objectives | This study will test the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of the clinical and cost effectiveness of Low Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (LI-CBT) and Person-Centred Counselling (PCC) for patients with persistent subthreshold depressive symptoms and mild depression. This study will provide estimates for the recruitment, adherence, and retention rates, as well as estimates of the variability of outcome measures to inform power calculations for a definitive trial. Estimates of comparative intervention effects will be produced, but this study is not designed to have sufficient power to detect differences, nor to demonstrate non-inferiority between interventions. The pilot will test the feasibility of attaining adequate recruitment and retention, as well as identifying a range of moderator variables. Finally, this study will help to identify any potential problems that will need to be addressed before a definitive trial. On 29/10/2012 the following changes were made to the record: 1. The public title was updated. Previously it was "Comparing Counselling and Low-Intensity Cognitive behavioural therapy for Depression" 2. The overall trial start date was updated from 01/09/2012 to 01/10/2012 3. The overall trial end date was updated from 31/11/2013 to 31/12/2013 As of 13/01/2014, the overall trial end date was changed from 30/12/2013 to 30/06/2014. Recruitment to the trial is now closed, but follow-up assessments with participants continue. |
| Ethics approval(s) | West of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 3, 03/09/2012, ref: 12/WS/0173 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Depression |
| Intervention | Patients will be randomised to either eight weekly sessions of person-centred counselling or eight weeks of cognitive-behavioural self-help resources with telephone support. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | Recruitment, adherence and retention rates at six months from baseline |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Changes at 6 months on depressive symptoms (as measured by GRID-HAMD-17 and PHQ-9) 2. Recovery from, or prevention of, depression according to DSM-IV diagnosis at 6 months 3. Changes at 6 months on impairment in functioning (as measured by Work and Social Adjustment Scale - WSAS) 4. Changes at 6 months on health status (as measured by EQ5D and SF12) |
| Overall study start date | 01/10/2012 |
| Completion date | 30/06/2014 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 50 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Current inclusion criteria as of 14/01/2014; this change was applied to patients screened from 16/04/2013 onward: 1. Aged ≥ 16 2. Scoring 5-18 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (i.e. mild or moderate low mood) 3. Screened positive for persistent (i.e., > 6 months) subthreshold depressive symptoms or mild depression (SCID) 4. Capable of taking part in research procedures Previous inclusion criteria: 1. Aged ≥ 16 2. Scoring 5-14 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (i.e. mild or moderate low mood) 3. Screened positive for persistent (i.e., > 6 months) subthreshold depressive symptoms or mild depression (SCID) 4. Capable of taking part in research procedures |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Alcohol/substance dependence 2. Receiving other psychological intervention 3. Bipolar disorder 4. Bereavement as presenting issue 5. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 6. Cognitive impairment 7. Unable to understand, speak, read or write in English 8. Terminal illness 9. Unable to take part in any of the interventions. |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/11/2012 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/06/2014 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Scotland
- United Kingdom
Study participating centre
AB24 5UA
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
University/education
University Office
King's College
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX
Scotland
United Kingdom
| Website | http://www.abdn.ac.uk/ |
|---|---|
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/016476m91 |
Funders
Funder type
Government
Government organisation / Local government
- Alternative name(s)
- CSO
- Location
- United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol article | protocol | 05/11/2014 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | results | 15/08/2015 | Yes | No |
