Internet-based Treatment for Depression

Summary

The overall aim of the present project is to test the efficacy of a validated Internet-based self-help program for depression developed in Germany in the French part of Switzerland. The program has shown to be efficacious in different trials with major depression and depression as a comorbidity of another disorder (e.g., gambling addiction, epilepsy). The objectives of this project are:

Primary Objective: To test the effects of the self-help web-based program on depressive symptoms in French-speaking individuals in Switzerland.

Secondary Objective A: To test the effects of the online program on reward responses for individuals with depressive symptoms.

Secondary Objectives B and C: To test the effects of the role of peer-to-peer support using an online forum in addition to an online program (B) and comparison between Switzerland and India (C).

This project can inform clinicians about what they can offer as a treatment to individuals, either in combination with psychotherapy or when there is no quick or direct access to a psychotherapist. The study promises to have a direct practical significance for people suffering from depression.

Conditions

• Depression

Interventions

DEVICE

Deprexis

The internet-based self-help program used in this study, Deprexis, contains 10 modules ( based on different psychotherapeutic approaches, consistent with a cognitive-behavioral perspective) and accessible at any time via regular internet browsers on laptops, computers, tablets, or smartphones through a secure website. Participants can repeat all modules as often as they wish after completing the full sequence once.

DEVICE

Deprexis with online forum

Those in this group will have access to deprexis ( same as the first group) as well as an online forum built for the study. This forum will feature a general discussion page where participants can ask and answer questions, and they will be divided into groups of 10 to share experiences if they wish. Additionally, there will be subforums related to specific modules of the program. Participants can share their experiences and ask questions related to the modules. A moderator will regularly check to ensure no personal or sensitive information is disclosed and will ask questions weekly to encourage contributions to the forum.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Bern

  collaborator OTHER

• Indian Institute of Technology

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Gaia AG

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Haute école d'Ingénierie et d'Architecture de Fribourg

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Fribourg

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-05-30

Primary Completion

2026-05-30

Completion

2026-05-30

Countries

• Switzerland

Study Locations