Raising Awareness of Online Therapies for Depression: Pilot Study

Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Depression
• Interventions: Other: Google Adwords; Other: Local organisation websites

• Registration Number: NCT01469689
• Lead Sponsor: University of Plymouth

Brief Summary

Web based cognitive behavioural therapy (webCBT) for depression is recommended by NICE but analysis of the geographic distribution of one webCBT site showed 15-fold variation in use across Britain. Such variation is unlikely to be from differences in prevalence. Raising awareness of webCBT could benefit many people with depression but it is not clear how direct-to-patient promotion online or via the media, compares with GP centred methods. This pilot cluster randomised controlled trial will explore the use of online methods to raise awareness in preparation for subsequent study comparing different approaches.

In a pilot cluster randomised trial the investigators will explore the feasibility and likely impact of online methods of raising awareness of webCBT, assessing how many people with depression respond to geographically restricted Google and local website advertisements. The investigators will explore costs of recruitment and define and document the best online methods that might subsequently be used in a definitive trial comparing online with mass media and GP centred methods for raising awareness. The investigators will compare intervention with control areas to estimate impact on registration levels and compare rate of completion of webCBT of these 'additional' registrants with other registrants. Recommendations will be made for a subsequent trial comparing online with other methods.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-03
• Study First Submitted: 2011-11-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-11-09
• Study First Posted: 2011-11-10
• Primary Completion: 2011-12
• Study Completion: 2011-12
• Status Verified: 2014-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-05-29
• Last Update Posted: 2014-05-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 8231

Inclusion Criteria

• people living in Britain searching for online help for depression

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Google Ads and local websites	Google Adwords	In these areas, the investigators will place Google Adwords and also try to place adverts on the websites of local organizations, with links to the investigators' project website, and from there to four other websites for depression.
Google Ads and local websites	Local organisation websites	In these areas, the investigators will place Google Adwords and also try to place adverts on the websites of local organizations, with links to the investigators' project website, and from there to four other websites for depression.
Google Adwords only	Google Adwords	In these areas,the investigators will display online adverts using Google Adwords, with links to the investigators' project website, and from there to four other websites for depression.
Local organisation websites	Local organisation websites	In these areas, the investigators will try to place adverts on the websites of local organizations, with links to the investigators' project website, and from there to four other websites for depression.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Registration on Living Life To The Full website	9 months	This is a cluster trial with primary outcome the number of registrations for given geographical areas on a website (Living Life to The Full) offering cognitive behaviuoural therapy for depression.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Online; 🇬🇧 Plymouth, United Kingdom