Online Psychological Intervention for Depression and Anxiety

Overseen By Marcie Nugent, MSW

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Regina

Disqualifiers: Living outside Canada, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4 weeks

50 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a brief online course called the Things You Do Course to evaluate its effectiveness in helping people manage symptoms of depression and anxiety. The course offers five key strategies to improve emotional well-being, and researchers aim to assess its helpfulness and satisfaction among participants. The trial seeks to determine if this single-session course should be included in online mental health services. Canadian residents seeking help for mental health concerns might find this trial suitable. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative mental health resources.

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

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on online therapy, so you may not need to change your medication routine, but it's best to confirm with the trial organizers.

What prior data suggests that the Things You Do Course is safe for individuals with depression and anxiety?

A previous study showed that the 'Things You Do' course significantly reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. This research suggests that the course is safe and easy for participants to use, with no reports of harmful side effects. By focusing on practical ways to improve mental health, the course offers a safe option for those seeking online therapy. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the "Things You Do" course because it offers a flexible and accessible approach to mental health care. Unlike traditional therapy, which often requires in-person sessions and scheduled appointments, this online course is self-directed and can be accessed anytime over a four-week period, making it convenient for individuals with busy schedules or those living in remote areas. This format empowers participants to engage with the material at their own pace, potentially increasing adherence and engagement compared to more rigid traditional therapies.

What evidence suggests that the Things You Do Course is effective for managing depression and anxiety?

Research has shown that the "Things You Do" Course, available to participants in this trial, can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. One study found moderate improvements, with specific measures of 0.51 for depression and 0.55 for anxiety. Another study demonstrated that the course improved short-term well-being, particularly through course activities. Additionally, online programs like this have been linked to better mental health, especially for anxiety. These findings suggest that the course offers practical strategies that could enhance emotional well-being for those seeking online mental health support. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Heather Hadjistavropoulos, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Regina

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

You are looking for help with mental health issues.

You live in Canada.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants have access to the 'Things You Do' online course materials for a period of 4 weeks. The materials are self-directed and can be accessed at any time during this period.

4 weeks

Self-directed, online access

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in symptoms of anxiety and depression, and satisfaction with the course is assessed.

13 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Things You Do Course

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Brief psychological intervention (Things You Do) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants will have access to the online course materials for a period of 4 weeks from the time of enrolment. The materials are self-directed and can be accessed at any time during the 4-week period.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Regina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

59

Recruited

9,100+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12241392/

Feasibility trial of an unguided ultra-brief online ... In total, 73 out of 112 help-seeking individuals completed the TYD intervention after being enrolled, and of these 48 completed one or more ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887618524000586

A randomized controlled trial of an unguided ultra-brief ... The intervention resulted in moderate reductions in depression (d = 0.51) and anxiety (d = 0.55) alongside moderate increases in the frequency of Things You Do ...

3. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2354663

Full article: Short-term effectiveness of a brief psychological ... Overall, the brief intervention showed short-term effectiveness, boosting study-related well-being in particular. These results expand previous findings ...

4. gpsych.bmj.com gpsych.bmj.com/content/37/4/e101355

Assessing the effectiveness of internet-based interventions ... Our findings suggest a significant association between IBIs and improved mental health outcomes, with particular effectiveness noted in treating anxiety ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00413/full

Findings of the BBC Lab UK Psychological Skills ... The present study developed and tested the efficacy of brief online interventions on changes in performance, emotions, arousal, and effort ...

6. coursera.org coursera.org/specializations/wphs

Workplace Psychological Health and Safety Specialization This specialization focuses on psychological health and safety in the workplace and consists of three interconnected courses, each designed to provide practical ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11507392/

Improving Mental Health Knowledge and Reducing Mental ... This study found that both in-person and online psychoeducation can similarly improve mental health knowledge and reduce stigma toward others.

8. reddit.com reddit.com/r/IOPsychology/comments/sfij4c/tips_for_interventions_regarding_psychological/

Tips for interventions regarding psychological safety and ... Interventions should be based on data, ideally you want to understand what is the current state of psychological safety in your environment ...

9. apta.org apta.org/fit-for-practice/psychological-safety-workplace

Psychological Safety in the Workplace This two-hour course helps students understand psychological safety and the skills needed to create safe, inclusive, and supportive environments in their lives.