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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011;6(11):e28099.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028099. Epub 2011 Nov 30.

Internet-based CBT for depression with and without telephone tracking in a national helpline: randomised controlled trial

Louise Farrer  1 , Helen Christensen, Kathleen M Griffiths, Andrew Mackinnon
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Internet-based CBT for depression with and without telephone tracking in a national helpline: randomised controlled trial

Louise Farrer et al. PLoS One. 2011.

Abstract

Background: Telephone helplines are frequently and repeatedly used by individuals with chronic mental health problems and web interventions may be an effective tool for reducing depression in this population.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 6 week, web-based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention with and without proactive weekly telephone tracking in the reduction of depression in callers to a helpline service.

Method: 155 callers to a national helpline service with moderate to high psychological distress were recruited and randomised to receive either Internet CBT plus weekly telephone follow-up; Internet CBT only; weekly telephone follow-up only; or treatment as usual.

Results: Depression was lower in participants in the web intervention conditions both with and without telephone tracking compared to the treatment as usual condition both at post intervention and at 6 month follow-up. Telephone tracking provided by a lay telephone counsellor did not confer any additional advantage in terms of symptom reduction or adherence.

Conclusions: A web-based CBT program is effective both with and without telephone tracking for reducing depression in callers to a national helpline.

Trial registration: Controlled-Trials.comISRCTN93903959.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: HC and KG are authors of the web based treatment programs BluePages (bluepages.anu.edu.au) and MoodGYM (moodgym.anu.edu.au). LF has received a postgraduate scholarship from the Australian Research Council. KG has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and receives support from numerous sources (list of funders upon request, for conference support) to deliver conference presentations on the MoodGYM and BluePages programs. HC has received funding from industry partner Lifeline for consultancy following completion of the research involving the submitted work and receives support (list of funders upon request, for conference support) to deliver presentations on the MoodGYM and BluePages programs. HC and KG receive royalties from editing a book containing information about the MoodGYM and BluePages programs. There are no patents, products in development or marketed products to declare. This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLoS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flow of participants through the trial.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Estimated marginal means and standard errors (±1 SE) for depression (CES-D) symptoms.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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