Rationale and methods of the iFightDepression study: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of an internet-based self-management tool for moderate to mild depression

Empowerment of Italian general practitioners in depression and suicide prevention: the iFightDepression tool, a game changer of the EAAD-Best project

General Practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the early detection and management of depression and in preventing suicide risk. They are often the first healthcare professionals that people in crisis contact. However, their effectiveness can be limited by several barriers, including the lack of specific training and appropriate tools.The EAAD-Best project aims to fill these gaps through its iFightDepression tool, an online tool designed to support patients, psychologists, psychiatrists, and GPs in managing depression and preventing suicide. This article examines the implementation of the iFightDepression platform in Italy, assessing its impact on the empowerment of GPs in the fight against depression. Through a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data collected by the project, the 'unmet need' of GPs' in Italy regarding their specific training in mental health is highlighted.The response of 2,068 Italian GPs in just 7 months after the start of the iFD project is an expression of GPs' engagement to work against depression and for suicide risk prevention.

Defining the Characteristics of an e-Health Tool for Suicide Primary Prevention in the General Population: The StopBlues Case in France

With over one million deaths per year in the world, suicide is a major public health problem that could be significantly reduced by effective prevention programs. E-health tools are of particular interest for primary prevention as they can address a broad population including people unaware of their own risk and provide information and help without the fear of stigma. Our main objective was to define the overall characteristics of an e-health tool for suicide primary prevention in the French general population by defining the characteristics of the IT features; the content of the information delivered; the best way to structure it; and how it should be relayed and by whom. The research was carried out through a literature review and a co-construction phase with stakeholders. Four types of strategies may guide the construction of e-health tools for suicide primary prevention: education and awareness, (self-)screening, accessing support, and mental health coping. They should be accessible on different devices to reach the most users, and language and content should be adapted to the target population and to the issue being addressed. Finally, the tool should be consistent with ethical and quality best practices. The e-health tool StopBlues was developed following those recommendations.

Blending Internet-based and tele group treatment: Acceptability, effects, and mechanisms of change of cognitive behavioral treatment for depression

The current COV-19 pandemic increases the need for remote treatment. Among several provision strategies, tele groups have been tested as an efficient option. Still, the number of studies is comparably low, with a clear lack of studies investigating supposed treatment mechanisms. Sixty-one mildly to moderately depressed participants from Salzburg, Bavaria, and Upper Austria were randomized to the intervention or a waiting list control group (RCT). The seven-week treatment comprised preparatory online modules, followed by personalized feedback and a subsequent tele group session. Large treatment effects were observed for depression (CES-D: d = 0.99, p < .001; PHQ-9: d = 0.87, p = .002), together with large effects for cognitive behavioral skills (cognitive style, and behavioral activation, d = 0.88-0.97). Changes in skills mediated treatment outcomes for CES-D and PHQ-9, suggesting comparable mechanisms as in face-to-face therapy. Two typical moderators, therapeutic alliance, and group cohesion, however, failed to predict outcome (p = .289), or only exhibited statistical tendencies (p = .049 to .071). Client satisfaction, system usability, and treatment adherence were high. Blending Internet-based and tele group interventions offers additional options for low-threshold care that is less dependent on population density, commuting distances, or constraints due to the current COV-19 crisis. Results indicate that the blended intervention is clinically effective by fostering core CBT skills. While findings suggest the notion that working alliance and group cohesion can be established online, their relevancy for outcomes of blended treatment needs to be further investigated.

The factors of patient-reported readiness for hospital discharge in patients with depression: A cross-sectional study

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: The attributes of readiness for hospital discharge (RHD) have been identified to be physical stability, adequate support, psychological ability, and adequate information and knowledge. Patient-reported RHD has been regarded as an outcome indicator, and poor RHD leads to unplanned readmission, emergency department visits and even death. Knowledge regarding patient-reported RHD and its factors among patients with depression is limited. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: RHD among patients with depression is at a moderate level. More than a quarter of people with depression had low RHD. The knowledge dimension of the RHDS among patients with depression should be further strengthened. The length of stay, content received and delivery dimensions of the QDTS were significantly associated with RHD. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: This study encourages nurses to assess patient-reported RHD at discharge in mental health settings. Nurses should pay more attention to patients with hospital stays longer than 20 days. Nurses could improve RHD by enhancing the quality of discharge teaching, particularly the content received and the skills nurses used to deliver such content. Nurses' managers could develop programmes to improve teaching skills via Internet technology, such as simulated patients and online interprofessional discharge planning. ABSTRACT: Introduction Low readiness for hospital discharge (RHD) can be followed by negative healthcare outcomes. However, no studies have investigated RHD among patients with depression. Aim This study aimed to examine patient-reported RHD and its factors among patients with depression. Method In total, 367 inpatients with depression were recruited and completed the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) and Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale (QDTS). A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the factors of RHD among patients with depression. Results The total RHDS score was 7.70 ± 1.52. Approximately 28.9% of the participants had low RHD (RHDS score < 7). The results revealed that RHD was significantly associated with the length of stay, content received and delivery. Discussion RHD among patients with depression is at a moderate level. More than a quarter of people with depression had low RHD. To improve RHD, enhancing the quality of discharge teaching is imperative for patients with depression. Implications for Practice Nurses should pay more attention to patients with a hospital stay longer than 20 days. Nurses could improve RHD by enhancing the quality of discharge teaching, particularly the content received and the skills nurses used to deliver such content.

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of two online interventions for children and adolescents at risk for depression (E.motion trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial within the ProHEAD consortium

BACKGROUND

Depression is a serious mental health problem and is common in children and adolescents. Online interventions are promising in overcoming the widespread undertreatment of depression and in improving the help-seeking behavior in children and adolescents.

METHODS

The multicentre, randomized controlled E.motion trial is part of the German ProHEAD consortium (Promoting Help-seeking using E-technology for ADolescents). The objective of the trial is to investigate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of two online interventions to reduce depressive symptomatology in high-risk children and adolescents with subsyndromal symptoms of depression in comparison to an active control group. Participants will be randomized to one of three conditions: (1) Intervention 1, a clinician-guided self-management program (iFightDepression®); (2) Intervention 2, a clinician-guided group chat intervention; and (3) Control intervention, a psycho-educational website on depressive symptoms. Interventions last six weeks. In total, N = 363 children and adolescents aged ≥ 12 years with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 modified for Adolescents (PHQ-A) scores in the range of 5-9 will be recruited at five study sites across Germany. Online questionnaires will be administered before onset of the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and at the six-month follow-up. Further, children and adolescents will participate in the baseline screening and the one- and two-year school-based follow-up assessments integrated in the ProHEAD consortium. The primary endpoint is depression symptomatology at the end of intervention as measured by the PHQ-A score. Secondary outcomes include depression symptomatology at all follow-ups, help-seeking attitudes, and actual face-to-face help-seeking, adherence to and satisfaction with the interventions, depression stigma, and utilization and cost of interventions.

DISCUSSION

This study represents the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating efficacy and cost-effectiveness of two online interventions in children and adolescents aged ≥ 12 years at risk for depression. It aims to provide a better understanding of the help-seeking behavior of children and adolescents, potential benefits of E-mental health interventions for this age group, and new insights into so far understudied aspects of E-mental health programs, such as potential negative effects of online interventions. This knowledge will be used to tailor and improve future help offers and programs for children and adolescents and ways of treatment allocation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Register for Clinical Trials (DRKS), DRKS00014668 . Registered on 4 May 2018. International trial registration took place through the "international clinical trials registry platform" with the secondary ID S-086/2018.

Internet- and mobile-based depression interventions for people with diagnosed depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To summarize and critically evaluate the effectiveness of internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) for depression in adults with a diagnosed depression.

METHODS

Preregistered systematic review of RCTs investigating internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) targeting adults with diagnosed depression. IMIs had to be compared with waitlist, attention placebo, other IMIs or other (face-to-face) therapies. A comprehensive search of primary studies was conducted. Study selection and data extraction was done by two independent researchers. Primary outcome was symptom severity of depression. Furthermore, treatment response, depression remission, treatment adherence, anxiety and quality of life were investigated. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted where possible, as well as pre-planned subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

Database search resulted in 4858 references, of which 19 studies were eligible for inclusion and provided data on 29 IMIs. IMIs showed beneficial effects on depression severity when compared to waitlist conditions at the end of treatment (pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) g = -0.90, 95% CI -1.07 to -0.73, n = 10). The comparison between different IMIs did not result in any superiority or inferiority. All IMIs reduced depression symptoms from pre- to post-treatment (within group SMD range -2.24; -0.64, n = 29) and from pre-treatment to follow-up assessments (SMD range -3.07; -0.93, n = 27).

CONCLUSION

IMIs significantly reduce depression symptoms in adults with diagnosed depression at the end of treatment and at follow-up assessments when compared to waitlist conditions. These findings argue for IMIs to be recommended in depression treatment guidelines.