Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Anxiety and Depression Amongst French Canadians

Universite de Moncton64 enrolled

Overview

This study represents Phase II of a research program involving an international collaboration with Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia) to implement an Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy for the treatment of anxiety and depression in French-speaking Canadians from the Atlantic Provinces. The primary objective is to establish the clinical efficacy of a French-Canadian self-guided format version of the Wellbeing Course by conducting a randomized-control trial where an experimental group will be compared to a waitlist control group. A secondary objective is to demonstrate the course's acceptability through participants' satisfaction with the course.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Major Depression Anxiety Disorders

Interventions

The Wellbeing Course (Titov et al., 2011) includes five online lessons: * Lesson 1 presents information on the prevalence of anxiety disorders and depression as well as on how they may interfere with life goals. This lesson also discusses how cognitive, behavioral and physical symptoms can contribute to poor emotional health. * Lesson 2 presents different strategies to generate realistic cognitions. * Lesson 3 describes strategies for physical de-arousal and for re-engaging in reinforcing activities. * Lesson 4 describes avoidance and safety behaviors in relation with anxiety and depression along with graded exposure. * Lesson 5 is about problem solving, relapse prevention and staying well. For each lesson, a "Do It Yourself" guide is included as well vignettes and additional material.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 80 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Residing in New-Brunswick, Nova-Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfound land \& Labrador * Having identified French as the first official language spoken and having good reading comprehension in French. * Reliable Internet access * Clinically significant levels of depression or anxiety reflected by significant scores on the following measures: PHQ-9 \> 9, GAD-7 \>7, Penn Stage Worry Questionnaire ≥ 45, Social Phobia Inventory ≥ 19, Panic and Agoraphobia Scale ≥ 19, or by answering yes to the question "Is anxiety or low mood a problem for you" * Not currently participating in cognitive-behavioral therapy * No changes in medication for 4 weeks prior to the study, nor any changes in medication for the next 2 months * Willing to disclose personal information Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of psychotic symptoms * Presence of severe depression as indicated by scores ≥ 23 on the PHQ-9, or a score \> 2 on item 9 of the PHQ-9

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Changes in depression as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

Symptoms of depression

Time frame: Pretest, posttest (week 8), 3-month follow-up

Changes in anxiety as assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)

Symptoms of anxiety

Time frame: Pretest, posttest (week 8), 3-month follow-up

Secondary Outcomes

Changes in life satisfaction as assessed by the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)

Life satisfaction as assessed by the SWLS (Diener et al.,1995)

Time frame: Pretest, posttest (week 8), 3-month follow-up

Changes in health as assessed by the Short-Form Health Survey

Physical and mental health as assessed by the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12; Ware et al., 1998)