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Evaluating the effectiveness and efficacy of unguided internet-based self-help intervention for the prevention of depression: a randomized controlled trial

  1. Ove K. Lintvedt1,*,
  2. Kathleen M. Griffiths2,
  3. Kristian Sørensen1,
  4. Andreas R. Østvik1,
  5. Catharina E. A. Wang1,
  6. Martin Eisemann1,
  7. Knut Waterloo1

Article first published online: 2 SEP 2011

DOI: 10.1002/cpp.770

Issue

Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy

Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy

Volume 20, Issue 1, pages 10–27, January/February 2013

Additional Information

How to Cite

Lintvedt, O. K., Griffiths, K. M., Sørensen, K., Østvik, A. R., Wang, C. E. A., Eisemann, M. and Waterloo, K. (2013), Evaluating the effectiveness and efficacy of unguided internet-based self-help intervention for the prevention of depression: a randomized controlled trial. Clin. Psychol. Psychother., 20: 10–27. doi: 10.1002/cpp.770

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, Norway

  2. 2

    Centre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University, Australia

* Ove K. Lintvedt, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
E-mail: ove.lintvedt@uit.no

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 JAN 2013
  2. Article first published online: 2 SEP 2011
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 27 JUN 2011
  4. Manuscript Revised: 26 JUN 2011
  5. Manuscript Received: 1 DEC 2010

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Keywords:

  • Computerized Self-Help;
  • CCBT;
  • Depression;
  • Unguided;
  • Internet-Based

The Internet has the potential to increase the capacity and accessibility of mental health services. This study aimed to investigate whether an unguided Internet-based self-help intervention delivered without human support or guidance can reduce symptoms of depression in young people at risk of depression. The study also aimed to explore the usage of such sites in a real-life setting, to estimate the effects of the intervention for those who received a meaningful intervention dose and to evaluate user satisfaction. Young adults were recruited by means of a screening survey sent to all students at the University of Tromsø. Of those responding to the survey, 163 students (mean age 28.2 years) with elevated psychological distress were recruited to the trial and randomized to an Internet intervention condition or the waiting list control group. The Internet condition comprised a depression information website and a self-help Web application delivering automated cognitive behavioural therapy. The participants in the waiting list condition were free to access formal or informal help as usual. Two-thirds of the users who completed the trial initially reported an unmet need for help. The findings demonstrated that an unguided intervention was effective in reducing symptoms of depression and negative thoughts and in increasing depression literacy in young adults. Significant improvements were found at 2-month follow up. Internet-based interventions can be effective without tracking and thus constitute a minimal cost intervention for reaching a large number of people. User satisfaction among participants was high. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

  • Internet-based self-help can be useful for early intervention among people experiencing elevated depressive symptoms.
  • The present trial demonstrated that an unguided intervention can be effective in reducing depressive symptoms.
  • The Internet-based intervention has the potential of reaching a target group with an unmet need for help.
  • Approximately 27% of users referred to the site completed on average 55% of the intervention.
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