Feasibility and Acceptability of an E-learning Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Course

NCT07088939 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 25-025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive, third-wave psychological intervention designed for patients with complex and severe behavioral, emotional, and interpersonal dysfunction. DBT has since been adapted to shorter, briefer, "skills training" formats, which have been effective for a number of mild-to-moderate mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. Moreover, internet-delivered formats of DBT (iDBT) have similarly started to build support for their effectiveness, although there are fewer studies on digital formats. One study found that over 12 weeks, iDBT was deemed acceptable (e.g., 50% of participants were still active after 4 weeks) and there were improvements in multiple symptom domains, such as depression, anxiety, suicidality, functional disability, as well as alcohol and substance dependence. In the current study, the investigators will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a new iDBT intervention, packaged as an online e-learning skills course, with adult participants. The study is a pilot trial as iDBT has never been tested in this format through formal research. Thus, this pilot study aims to examine whether this course is usable, practical, and potentially useful to others in the future. The investigators will recruit up to 40 individuals with mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety for an 8-week study. Following a phone screen to determine eligibility, participants will complete a baseline session where they will provide consent, complete a brief interview and questionnaires, and register for the e-learning skills course. Over the course of 8 weeks, participants will be exposed to material adapted from a DBT manual in a self-guided manner. Participants will complete follow-up assessments at 4 and 8 weeks.

Conditions

Anxiety; Depression - Major Depressive Disorder; Depression; Stress; Mood Disorders

Keywords

dialectical behavior therapy; internet interventions; co-developed interventions; feasibility study; digital health

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Treatment Acceptability and Adherence Scale

  The Treatment Acceptability and Adherence Scale was used to assess ratings of perceived effectiveness, trustworthiness, and likelihood of adherence using a 7-point Likert scale from 1 (disagree strongly) to 7 (agree strongly). Items are summed to create a total score, with higher ratings indicating higher acceptability and adherence.

  4 weeks and 8 weeks

• Intervention Usability Scale

  The Intervention Usability Scale is a 10-item measure to assess the ease of accessing and usability of the intervention. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). A total score is created by summing the items and higher ratings indicate higher usability of the intervention.

  4 weeks and 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire

  Baseline

• Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Subscale

  Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Questionnaire

  Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks

• World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 Short Form

  Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks

• National Institute on Drug Abuse Assist for Alcohol and Substance Use

  Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks

Other Outcomes (3)

• Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Short Form

  Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks

• DBT Ways of Coping Checklist, Skills Subscale

  Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks

• Mindful Awareness and Attention Scale (MAAS)

  Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks

Study Arms (1)

Internet-delivered, self-guided dialectical behavior therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Treatment arm

Behavioral: dialectical behavior therapy

Interventions

dialectical behavior therapy BEHAVIORAL

This internet-delivered dialectical behavior therapy (iDBT) intervention consists of an e-learning course with 4 modules based on the 4 areas of skills training in dialectical behavior therapy: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Participants can work through the modules at a self-guided pace to learn more than 30 specific skills using psychoeducational materials. The intervention incorporates psychoeducational elements of skills training with introductory videos, interactive quizzes, practice and homework suggestions, as well as quotes and videos from individuals with lived experience. In preliminary testing, it was estimated to take approximately 8-10 hours to complete all material.

Internet-delivered, self-guided dialectical behavior therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Ages 18 years old and up.
• Reside in Ontario.
• Fluent in English.
• Able to provide autonomous informed consent
• Reports at least mild depression and/or anxiety symptoms
• Not currently receiving any psychotherapy or psychosocial interventions.
• Have access to the internet

You may not qualify if:

• Practical (e.g., scheduling), acute psychiatric (e.g., suicidal ideation nearly every day, recent hospitalization for mental health reasons), or medical reasons (e.g., upcoming surgery, medical procedure, head injury).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Windsor: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Windsor

Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Mood Disorders

Interventions

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Central Study Contacts

Alexander Daros, Ph.D., C.Psych.

CONTACT

519-253-3000; alexd1@uwindsor.ca

Riad El-karout

CONTACT

dbtresearch@uwindsor.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 16, 2025
• First Posted: July 28, 2025
• Study Start: July 20, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)