The effects of a 12-week relapse prevention program following acute depression treatment : A randomised controlled trial

• Context: Depression can be effectively treated using internet interventions. However, the relapse rate is non-ignorable. Methods: 286 participants were randomized to an additional relapse prevention program or a control group. Monthly telephone calls using the MINI diagnostic interview as well as online assessments were carried out for 24 months. Intervention: Standard cognitive behaviour therapy via the internet without guidance. Results: Relapse rates of 27.1% and 22.0% were reported in the relapse prevention program group and the control group respectively. A log-rank test of the Kaplan-Meier model did not show any significant difference between the prevention program group and the control group (χ2(1) = 0.87; p = .352) in terms of relapse rates. At the one-year follow-up, 79.2% in the prevention program group and 82.9% of the participants in the control group had PHQ-9 scores indicating them to be in remission. By the second-year follow-up the rate of remission was 75.8% in the relapse prevention program group and 81.2% in the control group. No significant differences could be seen neither at the one-year follow-up (χ2(1) = 0.36; p = .552) nor the two-year follow-up (χ2(1) = 0.53; p = .467). Conclusions: Don’t do it!

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

depression

internet intervention

CBT

Psychology

psykologi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)