None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this project is to explore the efficacy of a clinician-guided treatment program for symptoms of depression in older adults (aged 60-75), administered over the internet in a Ramdomised Controlled Trial. A secondary purpose is to determine the acceptability of the treatment protocol and materials to older adults with symptoms of depression. A tertiary purpose of this project is to explore the efficacy of a self-guided version of the program, with participants from the Waitlist Control Group.
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 Course, which teaches evidence-based cognitive behavioural skills.
Sponsors
Department of Psychology, Macquarie University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
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