Efficacy of low-intensity psychological intervention applied by ICTs for the treatment of depression in primary care: a controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the efficacy of a mindfulness-based intervention delivered via ICTs for treating mild to moderate depression in primary care settings.
Results Summary
The study found that mindfulness, along with other low-intensity psychological interventions, showed significant efficacy for depression treatment in specialized clinical settings, though ICT-based delivery was not previously tested. The trial will evaluate its effectiveness in primary care using a randomized controlled design.
Population
Mild and moderate depressed patients in Primary Care settings (N=240).
Effective Dosage
One face-to-face session and four online modules (specific duration/frequency not detailed).
Duration
Assessments at baseline, post-treatment, 6 months, and 12 months post-treatment (exact intervention duration not specified).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low-intensity psychological interventions applied by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) | decrease | depression treatment | patients with depression | - | could be an efficacious and cost-effective therapeutic option | #1 |
healthy lifestyle psychoeducational program | decrease | depression treatment | mild and moderate depressed patients | - | significant efficacy for depression treatment has previously showed | #2 |
focused program on positive affect promotion | decrease | depression treatment | mild and moderate depressed patients | - | significant efficacy for depression treatment has previously showed | #3 |
mindfulness | decrease | depression treatment | mild and moderate depressed patients | - | significant efficacy for depression treatment has previously showed | #4 |
BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the most common disorders in Psychiatric and Primary Care settings and is associated with significant disability and economic costs. Low-intensity psychological interventions applied by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) could be an efficacious and cost-effective therapeutic option for the treatment of depression. The aim of this study is to assess 3 low-intensity psychological interventions applied by ICTs (healthy lifestyle, positive affect and mindfulness) in Primary Care; significant efficacy for depression treatment has previously showed in specialized clinical settings by those interventions, but ICTs were not used. METHOD: Multicenter controlled randomized clinical trial in 4 parallel groups. Interventions have been designed and on-line device adaptation has been carried out. Subsequently, the randomized controlled clinical trial will be conducted. A sample of N = 240 mild and moderate depressed patients will be recruited and assessed in Primary Care settings. Patients will be randomly assigned to a) healthy lifestyle psychoeducational program + improved primary care usual treatment (ITAU), b) focused program on positive affect promotion + ITAU c) mindfulness + ITAU or d) ITAU. The intervention format will be one face to face session and four ICTs on-line modules. Patients will be diagnosed with MINI psychiatric interview. Main outcome will be PHQ-9 score. They will be also assessed by SF-12 Health Survey, Client Service Receipt Inventory, EuroQoL-5D questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and the Pemberton Happiness Index. Patients will be assessed at baseline, post, 6 and 12 post-treatment months. An intention to treat and per protocol analysis will be performed. DISCUSSION: Low-intensity psychological interventions applied by Information and Communication Technologies have been not used before in Spain and could be an efficacious and cost-effective therapeutic option for depression treatment. The strength of the study is that it is the first multicenter controlled randomized clinical trial of three low intensity and self-guided interventions applied by ICTs (healthy lifestyle psychoeducational program; focused program on positive affect promotion and brief intervention based on mindfulness) in Primary Care settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN82388279 . Registered 16 April 2014.