Preventing depression study: PERSUADE
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN23278208 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN23278208 |
| Protocol serial number | 36210 |
| Sponsor | The University of Manchester |
| Funder | National Institute for Health Research |
- Submission date
- 20/11/2017
- Registration date
- 28/11/2017
- Last edited
- 22/10/2020
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
The number of people with depression is increasing across the world; depression is set to become the leading cause of disability worldwide by 2030. Treatments for depression have limited usefulness and have only led to a 35% reduction of cases of depression, as compared to those receiving no treatment. People with untreated depression symptoms are at an increased risk of persistent depression with poor outcomes. There is a need to develop treatments that can be delivered at the very early stage of the illness thus preventing progression into full blown symptoms of depression. One of the major risk factors for depression is sub-threshold depression. Sub-threshold depression is a condition where the person has developed some of the symptoms of stress and low mood but the number of symptoms, and their severity, is lower than the threshold that we would use to diagnose someone with depression. In routine clinical practice we use a score of 10 or above on a depression questionnaire (Personal Health Questionnaire PHQ 9) to diagnose depression. This study uses a score of between 5 and 9 on the PHQ 9 to indicate sub-threshold depression. Experience tells us that it can be difficult to engage people with mild depression into preventive treatments that may require ongoing commitment. So, we plan to use user involvement to adapt and evaluate a psychological therapy program which is acceptable. It will be based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) principles. The aim of this study is to reduce depression symptom scores and prevent development of depression in people with sub-threshold depression defined as PHQ score 5-9.
Who can participate?
Adults aged 18 to 60 who have score between a 5 to 9 on the PHQ 9 scale.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group receive a specially developed CBT based intervention manual and will be required to attend a one full-day or two half-day workshops to support the manual. Those in the second group receive the usual care (no treatment). All participants are asked to complete a short questionnaire three months after the study to assess their symptoms. Some participants in the treatment group are also invited to take part in an interview over the telephone, to talk about their experiences during the study.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The model being used in the intervention has been used in many previous studies and shown effectiveness in helping people to manage their mood better. We do not anticipate the self-help intervention to pose a risk to participants and it does not prevent them accessing other more traditional health care through their GP if needed.
Where is the study run from?
The University of Manchester (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
July 2017 to June 2018
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Cassandra Kenning
cassandra.kenning@manchester.ac.uk
Contact information
Public
The University of Manchester
6th floor, Williamson Building
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-6041-4051 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 161 275 7610 |
| cassandra.kenning@manchester.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised; Interventional; Design type: Prevention, Psychological & Behavioural |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Participant information sheet | ISRCTN23278208_PIS_V2_31Oct17.pdf |
| Scientific title | Preventing depression in the community by voluntary sector providers |
| Study acronym | PERSUADE |
| Study objectives | The primary aim is to reduce depression symptom scores and prevent development of depression in people with sub-threshold depression defined as PHQ score 5-9. The objectives of the study are: 1. To adapt a low intensity community based depression prevention intervention based upon Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) model for adults with sub-threshold depression deliverable by voluntary sector organisations 2. To establish the acceptability and uptake of this model by adults with sub-threshold depression 3. To test the feasibility of conducting a successful trial of community based depression prevention intervention for adults with sub-threshold depression |
| Ethics approval(s) | North West- Greater Manchester East REC, 23/11/2017, ref: 17/NW/0604 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Specialty: Primary care, Primary sub-specialty: Mental Health; UKCRC code/ Disease: Mental Health/ Organic, including symptomatic, mental disorders |
| Intervention | Participants are randomised to either the intervention group or to usual care (no treatment). Participants in the intervention group receive a specially developed CBT based intervention manual and are required to attend a one full-day (or 2 half-days) workshop to support the manual. Motivational techniques are incorporated at the beginning of the workshop to help engage participants, based on previous research and our own experience of conducting social groups. Group exercises, role-play demonstrations and discussions of case vignettes will be participatory to maintain participant’s interest and motivation. All participants are followed up 3 months post randomisation. Engagement, attendance of workshops and retention to the study are recorded. Phone or face-to-face interviews are conducted with a sample of the participants in the intervention group (n=15) on completion of the intervention, looking at acceptability. Interviews are also be carried out with the specially trained facilitators at the end of the study to assess training, support and intervention delivery. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Feasibility and acceptability are assessed using: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Depression is measured using PHQ-9 at baseline and 3 months. |
| Completion date | 30/09/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 64 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Patients from primary care or the general community 2. Male and female 3. Aged between 18 years and 60 years of age 4. Score between 5-9 on the PHQ 9 |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Depression (score higher than 9 on PHQ-9, or formal diagnosis of depression) 2. Psychosis 3. Drug or alcohol use as primary diagnosis 4. Suicidal ideations 5. Non-English language speakers |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/01/2018 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/06/2018 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
M13 9PL
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol article | protocol | 03/10/2019 | 22/10/2020 | Yes | No |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Participant information sheet | version V2 | 31/10/2017 | 28/11/2017 | No | Yes |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- ISRCTN23278208_PIS_V2_31Oct17.pdf
- Uploaded 28/11/2017
Editorial Notes
22/10/2020: Publication reference added.
18/05/2018: The following changes have been made:
1. The recruitment start date has been changed from 01/12/2017 to 01/01/2018.
2. The recruitment start date has been changed from 31/01/2018 to 30/06/2018.
3. The overall trial end date has been changed from 30/06/2018 to 30/09/2018.
