Evaluation of internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy blended with sessions for depression in young adults
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN12316538 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12316538 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | Nil known |
| Sponsor | Pennsylvania State University |
| Funder | Investigator initiated and funded (through the PI and Co-PI’s professorship research contracts) |
- Submission date
- 18/07/2022
- Registration date
- 25/07/2022
- Last edited
- 25/07/2022
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Unipolar depressive disorders are one of the leading causes of disability-adjusted life years among adolescents and young adults worldwide. Early age of depression onset is a risk factor for recurrent depression, is associated with poor academic achievement and impaired quality of life, and predicts worsened mental and physical illness.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported behavioral intervention for depression. Adaptions of in-person CBT protocols into Internet-based formats (ICBT) can realize intervention to more individuals in need. ICBT programs that include therapist support are shown to be more effective than self-guided programs and demonstrate effects similar to those found with in-person treatment. To include strong therapist support in ICBT, and moreover, to conduct sessions using video telehealth can be consistent with young adults’ communication preferences. Treatment that combines both internet-based self-guided material and live therapist sessions is referred to as ‘blended treatment’.
The primary aims of this study are to test the efficacy of blended CBT treatment for young adults with major depressive disorder recruited nationally.
Who can participate?
Young adults aged 18-19 yearsold with depression.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be allocated randomly to one of two groups, with an equal chance of being in either group (like tossing a coin). One group will receive 10 weeks of blended CBT and the other will receive 10 weeks of self-guided ICBT for a major depressive episode (MDE). For participants receiving blended CBT, treatment will include 8 self-help modules, and up to 10 individual therapist sessions using telehealth. Participants allocated to the comparative self-guided ICBT will be provided the 8 self-help modules without therapist sessions. To assess the treatment effects and maintenance of treatment gains, participants will be asked to complete questionnaires before treatment, during treatment, at post-treatment (10 weeks) as well as follow-up questionnaires at 6 months, and 12 months.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
For both treatments, the expected benefit is a reduction of depression symptoms. Based on the existing literature for internet-based treatment approaches funded in cognitive behavior therapy, we do not expect participants to suffer any serious physical injury, financial, social, or legal harm from partaking in the present study, beyond what may be ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.
Where is the study run from?
Pennsylvania State University (USA)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
From January 2022 to August 2025
Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded
Who is the main contact?
Prof Michelle G. Newman, mgn1@psu.edu
Contact information
Scientific
371 Moore Building
Penn State University
University Park
State College
16802
United States of America
 ORCID ID |
0000-0003-0873-1409 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +1 (814) 863-1148 |
| mgn1@psu.edu |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Interventional randomized controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy blended with sessions versus self-guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for depression in young adults: a randomized controlled trial |
| Study objectives | Internet-based CBT blended with sessions is superior to self-guided ICBT in reducing depression symptoms in young adults. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 17/05/2022, the Institutional Review Board, Human Research Protection Program Pennsylvania State University (The 330 Building, Suite 205, University Park, PA 16802, US; +1 (814) 863-8699; IRB-orp@psu.edu), ref: 00018688 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Major depressive disorder in young adults |
| Intervention | Eligible subjects will be randomly assigned to 10 weeks of blended CBT for a major depressive episode (MDE) or to 10 weeks of self-guided CBT. A random number generator will be used to assign the participants (1:1 ratio). Both interventions include 8 online self-help modules that teach behavioral and cognitive strategies that participants can learn to reduce and help manage depression and comorbid anxiety. The modules span psycho-education, behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, emotion regulation, anxiety management, and relapse prevention. Experimental treatment: The experimental condition consists of Blended CBT. For 10 consecutive weeks, participants will complete the 8 self-help modules combined with up to 10 individual therapist sessions delivered via video telehealth technology. In addition to sessions, therapists will provide feedback on progress and skills practice assignments. Active comparator: The active comparator condition consists of self-guided ICBT. For 10 consecutive weeks, participants will complete 8 self-help modules. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Depressive symptoms measured using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology in adolescents (QIDS-A17-SR) at baseline and 10 weeks (post-treatment) |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Depressive symptoms measured using the QIDS-A17-SR at 6 and 12 months |
| Completion date | 01/08/2025 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 19 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 300 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Have access to a computer and/or mobile phone with an internet connection and data plan allowing 90 min spent on treatment per week 2. Fluent in the English language in terms of speaking, listening, reading, and writing 3. Aged 18-19 years 4. Presence of depressive symptoms as measured by a score ≥10 on the QIDS -17-SR 5. Fulfill DSM-5 Criteria for a major depressive episode 6. Depression is deemed the primary concern 7. Those currently taking antidepressants, central stimulants, and/or neuroleptics, will be accepted, if no change in dosage at least 6 weeks prior to study participation |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Unable to consent, or actively confirm study participation 2. Ongoing/prior (CBT) treatment within the last 6 months 3. Significant suicidal ideation and/or history of previous suicide attempt 4. Judged to have problem/disorder that warrants more intensive in- person mental health and/or medical treatment (i.e., alcohol, substance use, and/or eating disorder, meets diagnostic criteria for psychotic disorders) 5. Judged to have other current severe problems require other actions at first hand 6. Lack of access to computer and/or mobile phone with an internet connection and sufficient data plan 7. Has ever been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/08/2022 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/05/2024 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United States of America
Study participating centre
Pennsylvania State University
University Park
State College
16802
United States of America
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are of sensitive nature, thus are not expected to be publicly available. Access will be provided upon reasonable request (from date of publication) from the study principal investigator Prof Newman (mgn1@psu.edu). |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
21/07/2022: Trial’s existence confirmed by Human Research Protection Program, Pennsylvania State University.
