None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this project is to explore whether a clinician-guided treatment program can help to reduce depession symptoms in a population of mature adults (aged 60-75), when administered over the internet. A secondary purpose is to determine how acceptable people find this form of treatment. The study will inform how services can best improve future treatment programs for mature adults with depression.
Interventions
In this open trial participants will receive access to an 8 week internet-based treatment program. All participants will have at least mild symptoms of depression(PHQ- 9 total score of >9). All participants will complete 5 lessons of Internet based treatment about management of symptoms of depression. One lesson will be completed every 7 to 10 days. Each lesson will take about 15 minutes to complete. Participants will also have access to summaries of each lesson, a secure online clinician-moderated forum, and will read anonymous stories about other people with depression, taking a further 20 minutes per week. All participants will also receive automatic emails and brief weekly (<10minutes week) supportive telephone calls from a Registered Psychologist. Study questionnaires will be administered at application, pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 3-months post-treatment. These will take about 20-30 minutes to complete. The treatment materials are based on the Wellbeing Program, which teaches evidence-based cognitive behavioural skills.
Sponsors
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD), St Vincent's Hospital (Sydney)
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
60 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
- Resident of Australia - Have access to a computer, the Internet, and use of a printer - Not currently participating in CBT - Not using illicit drugs or consuming more than three standard drinks/day - Not currently experiencing a psychotic mental illness or severe symptoms of depression (defined as a total score >19 or responding >2 to Question 9 [suicidal ideation] on the PHQ-9) - Reports that they have been assessed by a GP or specialist to rule out a physical cause for their depression - A total score >9 on the PHQ-9 (indicating at least elevated symptoms of depression). Note that meeting diagnostic criteria for depression is NOT an inclusion criteria – instead, participants need to have elevated symptoms of depression as measured by the PHQ-9 - If taking medication for anxiety or depression, been taking the same dose for at least 1 month and not intend to change that dose during the course of the program - Prepared to provide name, phone number and address, and to provide the name and address of a local general practitioner - Prepared to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Severe depression (score of 20 or greater on PHQ-9) - Suicidal intent or plan - Scoring below cut-off on the PHQ-9 - Current substance abuse - Psychosis - Presenting problem not depression
Outcome results
None listed