Effectiveness of a web-based cognitive behavioural intervention for subthreshold depression: pragmatic randomised...

Area of Science:

• Clinical Psychology
• Digital Health
• Mental Health Interventions

Background:

• Subthreshold depression (sD) lacks sufficient research on effective treatments.
• Evaluating the efficacy of digital interventions for sD is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a web-based guided self-help intervention for subthreshold depression.
• To determine if the GET.ON Mood Enhancer is a viable treatment for sD.

Main Methods:

• 406 participants with sD were recruited and randomized.
• Intervention group received web-based cognitive behavioral therapy; control group received enhanced care-as-usual.
• Depressive symptom severity was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale at post-treatment and 6-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• The intervention group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms compared to the control group (effect size d = 0.69).
• The positive effects were maintained at 6-month follow-up, although reduced (effect size d = 0.28).
• Statistical significance was maintained at follow-up (p = 0.003).

Conclusions:

• Problem-solving and behavioral activation, delivered online, are effective treatments for subthreshold depression.
• Internet-based delivery offers a scalable strategy for disseminating psychological interventions for sD.