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Expectancy Effects in Self-Help Depression Treatment: First Evidence that the Rationale Given for an Online Study
Barbara Cludius1, Johanna Schröder1, Steffen Moritz1
1University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,Martinistraße 52,Hamburg,Germany.
Background:
Positive expectations play an important role in effective treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD). The way a study is contextualized modulates prognostic expectations.
Aims:
The aim of the study was to test the effect of differing information regarding the rationale given to participants for a study on depression symptoms.
Method:
Sixty-nine participants with depression symptoms participated in an online study with two conditions. In random order, half were invited to participate in a treatment study and half in a cognition study. After completing the baseline assessment, participants received one of two self-help manuals. Post-assessment was conducted six weeks later.
Results:
Only about 64% of the participants were reached for post-assessment, and adherence was low. However, our results offer the first evidence that stronger improvements emerged in participants who were told the trial was a treatment study compared with a cognition study.
Conclusion:
Information given about the rationale for a study could influence symptom reduction in online treatments for patients with MDD. Future (online) studies should attempt to replicate these results.
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