180 Participants Needed

Web-Based Intervention for Suicidal Thoughts

(REST-V Trial)

JW
Overseen ByJoseph W Boffa, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Suicide prevention is a top priority for VA as all continue to seek new and inventive ways to reduce suicide rates among Veterans. Many experts agree that suicide prevention efforts could be improved by making suicide-specific interventions easier to access. The current project aims to move toward that goal by testing a web-based suicide prevention intervention using an experimental design. The roughly 40-minute intervention aims to teach Veterans coping skills that are designed to ease the emotional distress that often comes with thoughts of suicide. The project will evaluate whether Veterans who receive this intervention report more improvement in suicidal thoughts and behaviors than Veterans who receive a standard course of health care visits. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors will be measured over the course of one month. The investigators hypothesize that Veterans who receive the intervention will report lower suicidal thoughts and behaviors than those who receive the standard course of health care.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it does exclude those with unmedicated bipolar disorder, which suggests that staying on certain medications might be necessary.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Re-Evaluating Suicidal Thoughts in the clinical trial Web-Based Intervention for Suicidal Thoughts?

Research shows that an online self-help intervention significantly reduced suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety compared to a waitlist control group. This suggests that web-based treatments can effectively help people with severe suicidal thoughts.12345

Is the web-based intervention for suicidal thoughts safe for humans?

The research on web-based interventions for suicidal thoughts does not provide specific safety data, but it suggests that these interventions can be effective in reducing suicidal ideation and related symptoms. However, the studies highlight issues with defining and reporting adverse events, which makes it difficult to fully assess safety.12467

How is the Re-Evaluating Suicidal Thoughts treatment different from other treatments for suicidal thoughts?

The Re-Evaluating Suicidal Thoughts treatment is unique because it is a web-based intervention, making it accessible to individuals who may not have access to traditional in-person therapy. This approach allows for personalized safety planning and support through the internet, which can be particularly beneficial for those who are hard to reach or prefer online resources.458910

Research Team

JW

Joseph W Boffa, PhD

Principal Investigator

Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Veterans aged 18 or older who have had suicidal thoughts in the past two weeks. It's not suitable for those with active psychosis, unmedicated bipolar disorder, or severe substance use disorders requiring detox before other treatments.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 18 years old or older.
Veteran
Past two-week suicidal ideation as indicated by positive reply to C-SSRS questions ('Have you had any actual thoughts of killing yourself,' or, 'Have you been thinking about how you might do this?')

Exclusion Criteria

Instances in which a substance use disorder would indicate inpatient detoxification prior to engaging in other outpatient mental health interventions
Active psychosis
I have bipolar disorder and am not taking medication for it.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Participants complete the REST intervention and baseline assessments

1 day
1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in suicidal ideation and behaviors

1 month
4 visits (virtual or in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Re-Evaluating Suicidal Thoughts
Trial Overview The study compares a web-based suicide prevention program teaching coping skills to ease emotional distress against standard healthcare visits. The goal is to see if this intervention better reduces suicidal thoughts and behaviors over one month.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: TAUExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Veterans in this condition will be expected to engage in their standard course of heath care.
Group II: REST + TAUExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Veterans in this condition will complete the REST intervention and be expected to remain engaged in their standard course of health care as described in the TAU condition.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,691
Recruited
3,759,000+

Findings from Research

A randomized controlled trial involving 724 participants in Belgium showed that a web-based intervention significantly reduced suicidal ideation, depression, hopelessness, worrying, and anxiety compared to a waitlist control group.
The online self-help intervention proved effective in addressing suicidal thoughts in individuals who faced barriers to traditional face-to-face treatment, although the study noted a high dropout rate in the intervention group.
The online treatment of suicidal ideation: A randomised controlled trial of an unguided web-based intervention.De Jaegere, E., van Landschoot, R., van Heeringen, K., et al.[2020]
In a study of 299 primary care patients prescribed an internet cognitive behavior therapy (iCBT) course for depression, suicidal ideation decreased from 54% to 30% after treatment, indicating the effectiveness of iCBT in reducing suicidal thoughts.
The reduction in suicidal ideation occurred despite minimal clinician contact and without a specific focus on suicidal thoughts, suggesting that iCBT can be beneficial for patients with significant suicidal ideation.
A clinical audit of changes in suicide ideas with internet treatment for depression.Watts, S., Newby, JM., Mewton, L., et al.[2021]
A study involving 459 participants found that while most individuals preferred face-to-face treatment for suicidal thoughts, those with higher levels of suicide ideation were more likely to prefer online help methods.
The findings suggest that the Internet could serve as an important alternative platform for delivering interventions to individuals at risk of suicide, especially for those who may avoid traditional treatment settings.
Suicide Ideation and Acceptability Toward Online Help-Seeking.Wilks, CR., Coyle, TN., Krek, M., et al.[2022]

References

The online treatment of suicidal ideation: A randomised controlled trial of an unguided web-based intervention. [2020]
A clinical audit of changes in suicide ideas with internet treatment for depression. [2021]
Suicide Ideation and Acceptability Toward Online Help-Seeking. [2022]
Perceived Utility of the Internet-Based Safety Plan in a Sample of Internet Users Screening Positive for Suicidality. [2022]
A Virtual Hope Box smartphone app as an accessory to therapy: proof-of-concept in a clinical sample of veterans. [2022]
Variability in the definition and reporting of adverse events in suicide prevention trials: an examination of the issues and a proposed solution. [2022]
Effectiveness of a Web-Based Self-Help Program for Suicidal Thinking in an Australian Community Sample: Randomized Controlled Trial. [2019]
Qualitative Study of Telehealth Delivery of Suicide-Specific Group Treatment "Project Life Force". [2023]
The effect of a web-based depression intervention on suicide ideation: secondary outcome from a randomised controlled trial in a helpline. [2022]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Effectiveness of online self-help for suicidal thoughts: results of a randomised controlled trial. [2022]