An internet-based problem-solving training to reduce strain in teachers
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN15635876 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15635876 |
| Protocol serial number | N/A |
| Sponsor | Investment & Development Bank of Lower Saxony - NBank (Germany) |
| Funders | European Union (EU), State of Lower Saxony (Germany) |
- 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
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
Contact information
Scientific
University, Lueneburg
Volgershall 1
Lüneburg
21339
Germany
| Phone | +49 (0)4131677 5197 |
|---|---|
| ebert@inkubator.leuphana.de |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Prospective randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | An 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 objectives | Internet-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) studied | Depressive symptoms |
| Intervention | The 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 type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Social Problem Solving Inventory (SPSI-R) |
| Completion date | 01/12/2013 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 152 |
| Total final enrolment | 150 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Teachers 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 criteria | Participants 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 enrolment | 15/04/2012 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/12/2013 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Germany
Study participating centre
21339
Germany
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not 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 |
| 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
03/06/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
