Effectiveness of an Online Bulletin Board for Depression: a Longitudinal Randomized Controlled Trial

Depression Clinical Trial

— ShareIT  

Official title:

A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Bulletin Board for Depression

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Withdrawn

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01423448
• Other study ID #: CMHR-123
• Secondary ID: NHMRC Fellowship
• Status: Withdrawn
• Phase: Phase 0
• First received: August 23, 2011
• Last updated: January 13, 2015

Study information

• Verified date: January 2015
• Source: Australian National University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Australia: The Australian National University
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial 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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Withdrawn
• Enrollment: 0
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Over 18 years of age

2. Internet access with email

3. Self-report of current or previous experience of depression

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current participation in an online support group for depression

2. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Depression
• Depressive Disorder

Intervention

Other:
• bulletin board
An asynchronous online bulletin board for people with experience of depression

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Australia	Centre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University	Canberra	Australian Capital Territory

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Louise Farrer

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Australia, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Depressive symptoms: Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D)	20-item self -report measure of depression severity	Baseline	No
Primary	Depressive symptoms: Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D)	20-item self -report measure of depression severity	6 months post-baseline	No
Primary	Depressive symptoms: Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D)	20-item self -report measure of depression severity	12 months post-baseline	No