Online Support Groups for Depression and Anxiety

Phase 1

• Conditions: Depression; Anxiety
• Interventions: Behavioral: Online support group; Behavioral: Expressive writing

• Registration Number: NCT01149265
• Lead Sponsor: University College, London

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of online support groups for anxiety and depression.

Detailed Description

In recent years the number of online support groups for conditions like depression and anxiety has grown rapidly. Millions of people are thought to be using them around the world. This research aims to help find out whether the use of online support groups is beneficial and to learn more about what happens in these groups.

This research will compare online support groups with expressive writing. Expressive writing involves people writing about their thoughts and feelings, often upsetting ones, for a short period of time. In online support groups giving and receiving support from others can be helpful while expressive writing about emotional issues can be cathartic.

1,000 participants will be recruited online from the UK, USA and Canada and randomly assigned to either an existing online support group or to an expressive writing condition.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2010-05
• Study First Submitted: 2010-06-22
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-06-22
• Study First Posted: 2010-06-23
• Status Verified: 2010-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2010-07-20
• Last Update Posted: 2010-07-21
• Primary Completion: 2011-02
• Study Completion: 2011-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 1000

Inclusion Criteria

• Self-defined depression & anxiety
• Resident in the UK, US or Canada
• Access to the internet

Exclusion Criteria

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Online support group	Online support group	-
Expressive writing	Expressive writing	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale	Zero, three and six months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Satisfaction with Life Scale	Zero, three and six months
The Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey	Zero, three and six months
Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment	Zero, three and six months
The Illness perception questionnaire	Zero, three and six months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University College London; 🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom