The shareIT project

ISRCTN	ISRCTN00982930
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN00982930
Secondary identifying numbers	ACTRN12611000377932

Submission date: 24/05/2011
Registration date: 22/06/2011
Last edited: 07/08/2019

Recruitment status: Stopped
Overall study status: Stopped
Condition category: Mental and Behavioural Disorders

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
It has been estimated that millions of people worldwide use bulletin boards, forums and internet support groups for health conditions. However, little is known about the effectiveness of these groups in terms of symptom reduction or improvement in quality of life. A recent study found that an online bulletin board set up specifically for use by research participants was effective at reducing depression symptoms. The current study extends on this study by investigating the effectiveness of an established online bulletin board for depression available to the public. The aims of the study are to determine whether this bulletin board improves mental health and quality of life.

Who can participate?
People aged over 18 with self-reported current or previous experience of depression

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Participants in one group are given access to the online support group for 6 months. 3. Participants in the other group are given access to the online support group after waiting 6 months. All participants are asked to complete survey assessments at the start of the study and after 6 and 12 months.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Not provided at time of registration

Where is the study run from?
The study is conducted online, administered by the Centre for Mental Health Research, Canberra, Australia.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2011 to January 2013

Who is funding the study?
National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia)

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Kathy Griffiths

Study website

Contact information

Prof Kathy Griffiths
Scientific

Centre for Mental Health Research
Australian National University
Building 63
Eggleston Road
Canberra
0200
Australia

Study information

Study design	Longitudinal randomized controlled trial
Primary study design	Interventional
Secondary study design	Randomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)	Internet/virtual
Study type	Quality of life
Participant information sheet	Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific title	Effectiveness of an online bulletin board for depression: a longitudinal randomized controlled trial
Study objectives	Current study hypothesis as of 07/06/2012 The project aims to investigate the effectiveness of an online bulletin board as a support tool for depression Previous study hypothesis The project aims to investigate the effectiveness of an online bulletin board (BlueBoard) as a support tool for depression
Ethics approval(s)	Australian National University Human Research Ethics Committee, 06/05/2011, ref: Human Ethics Protocol 2011/037
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Depression
Intervention	Current interventions as of 07/06/2012: 1. The study involves an active intervention and a waitlist control 2. Participants will be given access to the online support group (intervention) for a 6 month period 3. After 6 months participants allocated to the control group will also receive access to the intervention 4. The online support group for depression uses a bulletin board format to facilitate discussions 5. Participants will be asked to complete survey assessments prior to commencing the study (baseline) and at 6 and 12 month time-points Previous interventions: 1. The study involves an active intervention and a waitlist control 2. Participants will be given access to the BlueBoard support group (intervention) for a 6 month period 3. After 6 months participants allocated to the control group will also receive access to the intervention 4. BlueBoard is an online support group for depression which uses a bulletin board format to facilitate discussions 5. Participants will be asked to complete survey assessments prior to commencing the study (baseline) and at 6 and 12 month time-points
Intervention type	Other
Primary outcome measure	1. Depressive symptoms: Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression (CES-D) 20-item self -report measure of depression severity 2. Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 item scale (PHQ-9)
Secondary outcome measures	1. Anxiety symptoms: GAD-7 2. Quality of Life: EUROHIS QOL - 8 item index 3. Disability: 'Days Out of Role' questions adapted from US National Comorbidity Survey 4. Perceived Social Support: Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS) 5. UCLA Loneliness Scale 6. Stigma: Self-stigma of Depression Scale 7. Help-seeking: purpose developed items 8. Self-esteem: Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale 9. Mental Well-being: Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale 10. Empowerment: Empowerment Scale 11. Self-compassion: Self-compassion Scale - Short form 12. Participation in healthcare measure 13. Satisfaction & sser perceived benefits
Overall study start date	01/06/2011
Completion date	31/01/2013
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)	Lack of staff/facilities/resources

Eligibility

Participant type(s)	Patient
Age group	Adult
Lower age limit	18 Years
Sex	Both
Target number of participants	200
Key inclusion criteria	1. Over 18 years of age 2. Internet access with email 3. Self-report of current or previous experience of depression
Key exclusion criteria	1. Current participation in an online support group for depression 2. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis
Date of first enrolment	01/06/2011
Date of final enrolment	31/01/2013

Locations

Countries of recruitment

Australia

Study participating centre

Australian National University

Canberra
0200
Australia

Sponsor information

Australian National University (Australia)
University/education

Centre for Mental Health Research
Building 63
Eggleston Road
Canberra
0200
Australia

Email	cmhr@anu.edu.au
Website	http://www.anu.edu.au/
"ROR"	https://ror.org/019wvm592

Funders

Funder type

Government

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC Fellowship ref 525413)
Government organisation / National government

Alternative name(s): NHMRC
Location: Australia

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

Editorial Notes

07/08/2019: The following changes have been made:
1. The trial status has been changed to 'Stopped'. The ANZCTR record (ACTRN12611000377932) states that the trial was withdrawn because of lack of resources.
2. The ANZCTR number has been added.
08/09/2016: Plain English summary added.