E-COMPARED - internet-supported CBT for depression
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN12388725 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12388725 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | NCT02542891, NCT02389660, NCT02361684, NCT02449447, NCT02410616, NCT02796573 |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | DRKS00006866, NTR4962 |
| Sponsor | London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine |
| Funder | Seventh Framework Programme |
- Submission date
- 20/03/2015
- Registration date
- 19/05/2015
- Last edited
- 09/06/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
About a quarter of the UK population will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year, with mixed anxiety and depression as the most common mental disorder. In the UK between 8-12% of the population experience depression in any year. Half of people in need of mental care for depression do not have access to care services, do not always receive evidence-based treatments, or are confronted with long waiting lists. Internet-supported treatments have the potential to address the drawbacks of standard care and keep depression treatment of high quality and affordable. Blending face-to-face treatment with computer-based treatment components is a powerful strategy that may increase the cost-effectiveness of treatment for depression, increase access and decrease waiting times. The primary aims of this study are to assess the acceptability and feasibility of Blended Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in IAPT services in the UK, and to compare the clinical and cost-effectiveness of Blended CBT with treatment as usual (TAU) for adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). The secondary aims are to assess the acceptability and satisfaction of the blended approach by patients and therapists, and to assess the therapeutic alliance between patients and therapists in both arms.
Who can participate?
Adult participants with a clinical diagnosis of Major Depression Disorder (MDD). The study will be conducted in community settings, and will recruit participants from Improving Access to Psychological Services (IAPT) in London.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly allocated to either the blended intervention group or the treatment as usual (TAU) group. Internet-based blended depression treatment combines individual face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with CBT delivered through an internet-based treatment platform with mobile phone components (online CBT). Treatment as usual consists of face-to-face sessions only. The intervention for both groups will last 11 weeks. Outcome questionnaires will be completed by both groups at the start of the study, at the end of treatment (12 weeks), and 6 months and 12 months later, either online or over the phone.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participation in this study will help further our understanding of non-medical treatments for depression. This will help us improve the care people with depression receive. Participants may benefit from using the internet platform to learn more about depression and how to manage its symptoms at their own time and pace. This study does not pose a risk to the participating patients.
Where is the study run from?
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2015 to December 2016
Who is funding the study?
European Union Commission, Seventh Framework Programme
Who is the main contact?
Arlinda Cerga-Pashoja
arlinda.cerga-pashoja@lshtm.ac.uk
Contact information
Public
Department of Population Health
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Keppel Street
London
WC1E 7HT
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)20 7927 8146 |
|---|---|
| arlinda.cerga-pashoja@lshtm.ac.uk |
Scientific
Department of Population Health
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Keppel Street
London
WC1E 7HT
United Kingdom
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Pragmatic randomized controlled single-blind parallel-group non-inferiority feasibility trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised parallel trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | E-COMPARED - internet-supported CBT for depression: a randomised, pragmatic, feasibility trial |
| Study acronym | E-COMPARED |
| Study objectives | The trial hypothesis is that a computer-supported intervention for depression (face-to-face CBT blended with internet-delivered CBT) will lead to similar (non-inferior) clinical improvements as treatment as usual (face-to-face CBT), but that the blended approach can be more accessible and offered at a significantly lower cost. |
| Ethics approval(s) | NRES Committee London - Camden & Kings Cross, 17/04/2015, ref: 15/LO/0511 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Major depressive disorder |
| Intervention | Participants will be randomly allocated to the blended intervention arm or the treatment as usual (TAU) arm. The trial intervention is a blended approach of face-to-face Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for depression with internet-delivered CBT. The internet-based intervention will be supported by a platform called MoodBuster that comprises three elements: 1. A web-based interface providing the patients with access to CBT 2. A web-based portal for therapists, where they can view patient progress and give feedback 3. A mobile phone component which enables daily EMA monitoring of mood state, cognitions, activities, social interaction, and sleep of the patients. The core components of the CBT treatment are: 1. Psycho-education 2. Cognitive restructuring 3. Behavioural activation 4. Relapse prevention Blended depression treatment will be provided by IAPT therapists who will receive training on how to deliver the treatment. Treatment as usual consists of face-to-face sessions only. The intervention for both arms will last 11 weeks. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
The primary outcome measure will be Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 is a nine-item mood module that can be used to screen and to diagnose patients with depressive disorders. Outcomes will be measured on both arms at baseline, end of treatment (12 weeks), 6 months and 12 months. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. MINI - A diagnosis of depression will be assessed with the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I) version 5.0. |
| Completion date | 31/12/2016 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 150 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. 18 years of age or older 2. Scoring more than 5 points on PHQ-9 3. Meet DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for Major Depression Disorder as confirmed by the telephone administered MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview version 5.0 |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Current high risk for suicide according to the MINI Interview section C 2. Serious psychiatric co-morbidity that requires alternative treatment including substance dependence, bipolar affective disorder, psychotic illness or obsessive compulsive disorder as established at the MINI interview 3. Currently receiving psychological treatment for depression in primary or specialised mental health care 4. Being unable to comprehend, speak, read or write English 5. Not having access to a fast internet connection (i.e., broadband or comparable) 6. Not having or being unable to set up an email address that can be used to communicate with the therapist and research team |
| Date of first enrolment | 06/04/2015 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/10/2015 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | Qualitative working alliance results | 23/09/2020 | 25/09/2020 | Yes | No |
| Results article | Practitioners' experience of the working alliance | 25/07/2022 | 26/07/2022 | Yes | No |
| Protocol article | 03/08/2016 | Yes | No | ||
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Other publications | Secondary analysis | 31/05/2024 | 03/06/2024 | Yes | No |
| Other publications | Secondary analysis | 21/03/2022 | 09/06/2025 | Yes | No |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
09/06/2025: Publication reference added.
03/06/2024: Publication reference added.
26/07/2022: Publication reference added.
25/09/2020: Publication reference added.
05/08/2016: Publication reference added.
30/03/2016: Ethics approval information added.
