Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Mental Health Conditions

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Heather Hadjistavropoulos, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Regina

Disqualifiers: High suicide risk, Psychosis, Alcohol or drug problems, others

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 8-16 weeks

250 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests an online therapy program for Canadian public safety workers with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress. It aims to assess participant engagement with the therapy and its impact on their symptoms and daily life. The trial focuses on a specialized Internet-delivered course, the PSP Wellbeing Course, guided by a therapist. It suits Canadian public safety personnel with internet access who face these mental health challenges. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to innovative mental health solutions tailored to their community.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It might be best to discuss this with the trial organizers or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy is safe for Canadian public safety personnel?

Research has shown that customized online cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) for public safety personnel (PSP) is easy to manage. In studies, participants expressed satisfaction with the treatment and completed it successfully. They also experienced fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Participants valued the guidance from therapists and the program's activities. Reports did not mention any major negative effects, suggesting the treatment is safe. The positive feedback and absence of major side effects provide confidence in the safety of this therapy for those considering joining a clinical trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the PSP Wellbeing Course because it offers a unique approach to treating mental health conditions among Canadian public safety personnel. Unlike traditional face-to-face therapy sessions, this treatment is delivered online, making it more accessible and convenient for individuals with busy or irregular schedules. Additionally, it is tailored specifically to the experiences and challenges faced by public safety workers, ensuring that the therapy is relevant and applicable to their unique needs. This personalized and flexible approach could potentially enhance engagement and effectiveness compared to standard cognitive behavioral therapy options.

What evidence suggests that this Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy is effective for mental health conditions?

Research has shown that online cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) effectively treats depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in public safety workers. In this trial, participants will receive a tailored version of ICBT specifically designed for Canadian public safety personnel. Studies have found that participants report satisfaction with the treatment and experience a reduction in symptoms. This personalized program helps address challenges like access to care and stigma. Early results suggest that this online therapy can greatly improve mental health for individuals in these high-stress jobs. ^{1 4 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Heather D Hadjistavropoulos, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Regina

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Canadian public safety personnel in Saskatchewan or Quebec who are over 18 and experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress. Participants must have internet access and be willing to name a physician for emergencies.

Inclusion Criteria

willing to provide a physician as emergency contact

able to access a computer and internet service

I experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, or PTSD.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Online questionnaire and telephone screening

Treatment

Participants receive transdiagnostic Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy tailored for public safety personnel, with optional e-therapist support

8-16 weeks

Weekly online lessons with optional e-therapist support

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for symptom improvement and functioning at multiple timepoints post-enrollment

52 weeks

Assessments at 8, 26, and 52 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• PSP Wellbeing Course

Trial Overview The study tests an Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) program tailored for those with psychological trauma, depression, and anxiety. It measures how well participants engage with the course and any changes in their mental health.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Tailored ICBT for PSP Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Therapist-guided, Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy tailored specifically for Canadian public safety personnel.

PSP Wellbeing Course is already approved in Canada for the following indications:

Approved in Canada as PSP Wellbeing Course for:

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• Depression

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Regina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

59

Recruited

9,100+

Government of Canada

Collaborator

Trials

13

Recruited

2,400+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A tailored internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) program for Canadian public safety personnel (N=83) resulted in large reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms, and moderate reductions in PTSD symptoms after 8 weeks of treatment.

Most participants who initially reported high levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD experienced clinically significant symptom improvements, indicating that ICBT is a promising treatment option for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Initial Outcomes of Transdiagnostic Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Tailored to Public Safety Personnel: Longitudinal Observational Study. Hadjistavropoulos, HD., McCall, HC., Thiessen, DL., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 150 public safety personnel, both transdiagnostic and PTSD-specific internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) showed high client satisfaction and significant symptom improvement, with 98% of participants recommending the course to others.

More participants preferred transdiagnostic ICBT over PTSD-specific ICBT, although the difference was not statistically significant; however, transdiagnostic ICBT led to greater reductions in panic disorder symptoms compared to PTSD-specific ICBT.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for symptoms of PTSD among public safety personnel: Initial outcomes of an open cohort preference trial of transdiagnostic and disorder-specific therapy. McCall, H., Dear, BF., Landry, C., et al.[2023]

A study involving 82 Canadian public safety personnel (PSP) found that internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) was perceived as beneficial, with clients reporting positive impacts such as skill development and normalizing mental health issues.

Clients appreciated the flexible format and content of the ICBT program, but also faced challenges like technology issues and time constraints; their feedback led to rapid improvements in the program tailored specifically for PSP.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Insights into internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for public safety personnel: Exploration of client experiences during and after treatment. Beahm, JD., McCall, HC., Carleton, RN., et al.[2021]

The Wellbeing Course, an internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program, was successfully completed by all 10 participants with anxiety symptoms, demonstrating high acceptability and feasibility in a non-governmental setting.

Participants showed significant improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms, with large effect sizes, indicating that iCBT can be an effective treatment option for anxiety when delivered by trained staff from organizations like the Mental Health Association.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A feasibility open trial of internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy (iCBT) among consumers of a non-governmental mental health organisation with anxiety. Kirkpatrick, T., Manoukian, L., Dear, BF., et al.[2021]

A brief internet-administered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program effectively treated anxiety disorders and major depression in 32 participants, with 81% completing the 8-week course.

Participants showed significant improvements in depression and anxiety scales, with high satisfaction ratings, while requiring less clinician time compared to the original longer program, suggesting that a condensed format can still be highly effective.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An open trial of a brief transdiagnostic internet treatment for anxiety and depression. Dear, BF., Titov, N., Schwencke, G., et al.[2022]

The BIP OCD Junior program, an internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) for children aged 7-11 with OCD, showed significant improvement in symptoms after 12 weeks, with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 1.86).

Both children and parents found the treatment credible and were highly satisfied, suggesting that ICBT could be a feasible option for young children with OCD, although further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm its efficacy compared to traditional face-to-face therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for young children with obsessive-compulsive disorder: development and initial evaluation of the BIP OCD Junior programme. Aspvall, K., Andrén, P., Lenhard, F., et al.[2022]

A study involving 118 spouses and significant others of public safety personnel (PSP) found that a self-guided, internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) course was perceived as helpful by 89% of participants, indicating its potential effectiveness for addressing mental health concerns in this group.

Participants provided feedback that led to improvements in the ICBT course, suggesting that tailoring the content and delivery to the specific needs of SSOs of PSP can enhance its usefulness and accessibility.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Tailored to Spouses and Significant Others of Public Safety Personnel: Formative Evaluation Study. Hadjistavropoulos, HD., Reiser, SJ., Beahm, JD., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887618524000379

Outcomes of transdiagnostic internet-delivered cognitive ... Transdiagnostic online therapy was tailored to public safety personnel (PSP). PSP showed good treatment satisfaction, course completion, and symptom reduction.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8135031/

Initial Outcomes of Transdiagnostic Internet-Delivered ... Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) overcomes many such barriers, and is effective for treating depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress ...

3. centerwatch.com centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT04127032/internet-delivered-cognitive-behaviour-therapy-for-public-safety-personnel

Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Public ... This study evaluates a transdiagnostic Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) recently tailored for Canadian public safety ...

4. jmir.org jmir.org/2021/5/e27610/

Initial Outcomes of Transdiagnostic Internet-Delivered ... Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) overcomes many such barriers, and is effective for treating depression, anxiety, and ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10440509/

Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for ... Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for symptoms of PTSD among public safety personnel: Initial outcomes of an open cohort preference trial.

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37609530/

Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for ... Public safety personnel (PSP) face high rates of mental health problems and many barriers to care. Initial outcomes of transdiagnostic internet-delivered ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782921001214

Exploration of client experiences during and after treatment Public safety personnel (PSP) report benefits of ICBT, such as improved wellbeing. •. PSP value therapist assistance, content, and activities of tailored ICBT.