NCT01423448

Brief Summary

This study is a randomised controlled trial that aims to examine the efficacy of an established online bulletin board for depression. It has been estimated that millions of people worldwide use peer-to-peer bulletin boards, forums or internet support groups (ISGs) for health conditions. However, little is known about the effectiveness of these groups in terms of symptom reduction or improvement in quality of life. The current project investigates the effectiveness of an established online bulletin board for depression available to the public. To our knowledge, this is the first randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of a pre-existing, well-established online bulletin board for depression in the community. The aims of the project are to determine whether the bulletin board improves mental health, quality of life, and related outcomes among members of the community with high levels of self-reported psychological distress and previous history or current experience of depression.

Trial Health

35
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
withdrawn

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 23, 2011

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 26, 2011

Completed
Last Updated

January 14, 2015

Status Verified

January 1, 2015

First QC Date

August 23, 2011

Last Update Submit

January 13, 2015

Conditions

Depression

Keywords

Depressionmental healthwellbeingonline bulletin boardonline support group

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • Depressive symptoms: Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D)

    20-item self -report measure of depression severity

    Baseline

  • Depressive symptoms: Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D)

    20-item self -report measure of depression severity

    6 months post-baseline

  • Depressive symptoms: Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D)

    20-item self -report measure of depression severity

    12 months post-baseline

Study Arms (2)

Bulletin board

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will be given access to the online bulletin board (intervention) for a 6 month period

Other: bulletin board

Control

NO INTERVENTION

After 6 months participants allocated to the control group will receive access to the intervention

Interventions

bulletin boardOTHER

An asynchronous online bulletin board for people with experience of depression

Bulletin board

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Over 18 years of age
  • Internet access with email
  • Self-report of current or previous experience of depression

You may not qualify if:

  • Current participation in an online support group for depression
  • Diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Centre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 0200, Australia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

DepressionPsychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral SymptomsBehaviorPersonal Satisfaction
0

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
early phase 1
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 23, 2011

First Posted

August 26, 2011

Last Updated

January 14, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-01

Locations

AU(1)