A brief intervention to increase uptake and adherence of an online program for depression and anxiety: Protocol for the Enhancing Engagement with Psychosocial Interventions (EEPI) Randomized Controlled Trial

Philip J Batterham; Alison L Calear; Matthew Sunderland; Frances Kay-Lambkin; Louise M Farrer; Amelia Gulliver

doi:10.1016/j.cct.2019.01.015

A brief intervention to increase uptake and adherence of an online program for depression and anxiety: Protocol for the Enhancing Engagement with Psychosocial Interventions (EEPI) Randomized Controlled Trial

Contemp Clin Trials. 2019 Mar:78:107-115. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.01.015. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Authors

Philip J Batterham¹, Alison L Calear², Matthew Sunderland³, Frances Kay-Lambkin⁴, Louise M Farrer², Amelia Gulliver²

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Australia. Electronic address: philip.batterham@anu.edu.au.
² Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Australia.
³ National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Australia.

PMID: 30711664
DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.01.015

Abstract

Background: There is substantial evidence that psychosocial programs delivered online can be effective in treating and preventing mental health problems. However, use of evidence-based programs in the community is currently suboptimal, and there is a lack of evidence around how to increase engagement with existing evidence-based programs. Novel approaches to increasing the acceptability of online programs such as the use of brief engagement-facilitation interventions (EFI) require evaluation.

Aims: The aims of this study are to 1) examine the effectiveness of a brief online engagement-facilitation intervention (EFI) presented prior to an online self-help mental health program (myCompass) in improving uptake of and adherence to that program, and 2) assess if greater uptake and/or adherence are associated with improved efficacy (greater reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety) relative to a control condition).

Methods: A three-arm randomized controlled trial will be conducted (target sample: N = 693 participants recruited via social media). An active online cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) intervention will be delivered either with (arm 1) or without (arm 2) the EFI. An attention control group (arm 3) will enable testing of the relative efficacy of the iCBT intervention. Primary outcomes are uptake of the intervention (initiation) and adherence (module completion).

Results: Findings will inform the more efficient dissemination of a range of psychosocial programs into the community, with potential for significant efficiency gains in treating common mental health problems.

Conclusions: Greater engagement with online psychosocial programs may lead to significant reductions in the burden of common mental health problems in the community.

Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12618001565235.

Keywords: Adherence; Engagement-facilitation intervention; Implementation; Internet; Mental health; Uptake.

Publication types

Clinical Trial Protocol
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Anxiety / psychology
Anxiety / therapy*
Australia
Depression / psychology
Depression / therapy*
Female
Health Literacy
Humans
Internet*
Male
Mental Health
Middle Aged
Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
Patient Compliance
Psychotherapy, Brief / methods*
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Research Design
Single-Blind Method
Young Adult

Associated data

ANZCTR/ACTRN12618001565235