None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the DEAL Project program, a brief, Internet-based intervention specifically designed for people aged 18 to 25 years with depression and co-occurring problematic alcohol use. This will be the first RCT of an Internet-delivered treatment for comorbid depression and problematic alcohol use in any age group.
Interventions
The DEAL Project program: This program is a 4-week (four hour long sessions) psychological treatment delivered entirely via the Internet. Participants access the web-based sessions from their home computer (or other preferred port for Internet access). Participant-selected pseudonym usernames/emails serve as their login code for the website, and will provide access to the screening tools and the DEAL Project (DEpression ALcohol) intervention. Content of the sessions include CBT and motivational
The DEAL Project program: This program is a 4-week (four hour long sessions) psychological treatment delivered entirely via the Internet. Participants access the web-based sessions from their home computer (or other preferred port for Internet access). Participant-selected pseudonym usernames/emails serve as their login code for the website, and will provide access to the screening tools and the DEAL Project (DEpression ALcohol) intervention. Content of the sessions include CBT and motivational enhancement strategies, in the form of the previously developed intervention for depression and alcohol misuse that was effective in reducing depression and alcohol use when provided in computer-delivered format (the SHADE program). Participants are asked to complete each session of DEAL Project Web-based intervention in sequence, a week apart, from the point of randomisation. The Website tracks participants’ progress through each weekly module, with automated email reminders sent to the participant’s nominated email address.
Sponsors
Mark Deady
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Caregiver)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
(1) Age of 18-25 years; (2) Current depressive symptoms (score of 7+ on DASS-21 – Depression); (3) Harmful drinking as measured by the AUDIT (score of 8+) (4) Ability to access the Internet (either in the private residence of the participant, or willingness to use the public library/other suitable venue with Internet access); (5) Australian residency.
Exclusion criteria
(1) Psychotic symptoms lasting >2 days; (2) Non-English speakers; (3) Serious risk of suicide (thoughts of suicide or a wish to commit suicide in past two weeks); (4) Daily use of cannabis/weekly use of amphetamines.
Outcome results
None listed