Feasibility and Acceptability of an E-learning Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Course

University of Windsor

Status

Enrolling

Conditions

Depression

Mood Disorders

Anxiety

Stress

Depression - Major Depressive Disorder

Treatments

Behavioral: dialectical behavior therapy

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT07088939

25-025

Details and patient eligibility

About

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive, third-wave psychological intervention designed for patients with complex and severe behavioral, emotional, and interpersonal dysfunction. DBT has since been adapted to shorter, briefer, "skills training" formats, which have been effective for a number of mild-to-moderate mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. Moreover, internet-delivered formats of DBT (iDBT) have similarly started to build support for their effectiveness, although there are fewer studies on digital formats. One study found that over 12 weeks, iDBT was deemed acceptable (e.g., 50% of participants were still active after 4 weeks) and there were improvements in multiple symptom domains, such as depression, anxiety, suicidality, functional disability, as well as alcohol and substance dependence.

In the current study, the investigators will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a new iDBT intervention, packaged as an online e-learning skills course, with adult participants. The study is a pilot trial as iDBT has never been tested in this format through formal research. Thus, this pilot study aims to examine whether this course is usable, practical, and potentially useful to others in the future. The investigators will recruit up to 40 individuals with mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety for an 8-week study. Following a phone screen to determine eligibility, participants will complete a baseline session where they will provide consent, complete a brief interview and questionnaires, and register for the e-learning skills course. Over the course of 8 weeks, participants will be exposed to material adapted from a DBT manual in a self-guided manner. Participants will complete follow-up assessments at 4 and 8 weeks.

Enrollment

40 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Ages 18 years old and up.
Reside in Ontario.
Fluent in English.
Able to provide autonomous informed consent
Reports at least mild depression and/or anxiety symptoms
Not currently receiving any psychotherapy or psychosocial interventions.
Have access to the internet

Exclusion criteria

Practical (e.g., scheduling), acute psychiatric (e.g., suicidal ideation nearly every day, recent hospitalization for mental health reasons), or medical reasons (e.g., upcoming surgery, medical procedure, head injury).
Not meeting one or more of the above inclusion criteria