Internet-delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Students: Duration Preference Trial

University of Regina

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Depression; Anxiety

Treatments: Behavioral: Wellbeing Course (8 weeks); Behavioral: Wellbeing Course for Students (Fast Track); Behavioral: Wellbeing Course for Students (5 weeks)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05333627

2019-205b

Details and patient eligibility

About

There is growing evidence for the effectiveness of internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) for post-secondary students with symptoms of depression and anxiety. In ICBT, clients review structured online content over several weeks to learn strategies and skills to manage their symptoms. Low treatment completion rates remain a concern for post-secondary students, so it is possible that existing treatment protocols do not offer enough flexibility for students' needs and preferences.

This trial will examine students' preferences for different course options (fast-track, 5-week, and 8-week) and compare enrollment, adherence, and outcomes of students who pick each of the three options. In all three options, students will receive optional therapist support, in which the assigned therapist only contacts the student on weeks where the student sends the therapist a message. This trial will help inform the delivery of flexible treatment options for post-secondary students in a routine care setting.

Enrollment: 200 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• registered as a student at a post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan; over the age of 18; endorse symptoms of depression (score of 5 or greater on the PHQ-9) and/or anxiety (score of 5 or greater on the GAD-7); and be able to access computers and the Internet and be comfortable using them

Exclusion criteria

• high risk of suicide or hospitalization for mental health in previous 12 months; unmanaged alcohol or drug use problems; severe psychiatric illness that is not managed (e.g. psychosis or mania); or receiving other psychological services more than twice per month

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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200 participants in 3 patient groups

Fast-Track Course

Experimental group

Description:

Clients who select the Fast-Track Course option will receive access to a single ICBT core lesson and Do-It-Yourself guide, followed by three additional Do-It-Yourself guides that they can access in any order. The content includes examples that are tailored to students' experiences. Clients have access to diverse additional resources (e.g., managing panic, assertive communication) throughout the course. Clients will receive up to five weeks of optional therapist support.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Wellbeing Course for Students (Fast Track)

5-Week Course

Experimental group

Description:

Clients who select the 5-week course will receive access to an ICBT course which consists of four lessons spread across the span of five weeks. The content includes examples that are tailored to students' experiences. Clients have access to diverse additional resources (e.g., managing panic, assertive communication) throughout the course. Clients will receive five weeks of optional therapist support.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Wellbeing Course for Students (5 weeks)

8-Week Course

Experimental group

Description:

Clients who select the 8-week course will receive access to an ICBT course which consists of five lessons spread across the span of eight weeks. The content in this course is not student-specific. Clients have access to diverse additional resources (e.g., managing panic, assertive communication) throughout the course. Clients will receive eight weeks of optional therapist support.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Wellbeing Course (8 weeks)