Treatment of Depression: Efficacy and Efficiency of Two Self-administered Online Intervention Protocols Based on Behavioral Activation and Physical Activity

Research shows that in 2030 (Mathers and Loncar, 2006) depression will become one of the three leading causes of disability. Depression is a common mental disorder with a negative impact on mental well-being, quality of life, and social and work-related functioning both in the short and longer term.

Additionally, depression is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, health care utilization and health care costs. On a population level, depression is one of the most costly diseases. The economic costs of depression were estimated at €136.3 billion (EU25) in 2010 in the EU and are still rising. European health care systems face the challenge of improving access to cost-effective treatments while simultaneously working to sustain budgetary stability in times of economic austerity.

Internet-based depression treatment appears a very promising alternative to current routine depression treatment strategies. Meta-analyses have demonstrated the clinical effectiveness and potential cost-effectiveness of Internet-based treatment for depression in controlled research setting. Internet-based treatment thus has the potential to keep depression treatment affordable, as it enables mental health care providers to reach out to large populations needing depression treatment at a better cost-effectiveness, but with similar levels of clinical efficacy and quality of care.

In Spain the trial will be carried out in a community sample, comparing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of BA or PA with WL for adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and adjustment disorder with depressive symptomatology. Respondents will be followed until 6 months after baseline (measures will be taken at BL, 3 months, and 6 months).