The aim of this study is to test the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of methods for delivering mental health support when real-time communication is not possible (e.g. on long duration space flights where communication lags of up to 45 minutes are anticipated). The investigators hypothesize that the two enhanced treatment conditions (i.e., those with therapist support) will outperform the online self-management program without support. The investigators also predict that outcomes for the two enhanced conditions will be comparable to those reported in the literature for in-person psychotherapy programs.
The aim of this study is to test the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of methods for delivering mental health support when real-time communication is not possible (e.g. on long duration space flights where communication lags of up to 45 minutes are anticipated). Participants will be healthy, high functioning adults (e.g., medical residents, postdoctoral fellows in the sciences, math, and engineering) who report elevated psychological distress, mood or anxiety symptoms. Participants will complete a self-guided online therapy program (MyCompass) and will be randomized to receive one of the following: (1) online therapy without therapist support, 2) online therapy plus therapist support via electronic text-based messaging (i.e., secure email), or 3) online therapy plus therapist support via video messaging. Outcomes will be evaluated weekly via online self-report measures of psychological distress, mood, anxiety, number of hours and quality of sleep, fatigue, and resiliency indicators (i.e., coping and mindfulness). The investigators will examine changes over time in outcomes across all three groups. The investigators hypothesize that the two enhanced treatment conditions (i.e., those with therapist support) will outperform the online self-management program without support. The investigators also predict that outcomes for the two enhanced conditions will be comparable to those reported in the literature for in-person psychotherapy programs.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
145
Self-guided e-health treatment with two of the arms providing delayed (44min) text or video support from a therapist.
Mind-Body Clinical Research Center
Stony Brook, New York, United States
Functional impairment in work/school, social life, and family life change
Sheehan Disability Scale is a 3 item measure to assess functional impairment in work/school, social life, and family life.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 6-weeks assessments, 1-weeks post treatment, and 1-month post treatment
Symptoms of Depression, Stress, and Anxiety Change
Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale is a 21-item measure to assess the severity of Depression, Stress, and Anxiety.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 6-weeks assessments, 1-week post treatment, and 1-month post treatment
Sleep Quality Change
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a 19-item questionnaire that assesses seven components of sleep quality (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, duration, efficiency, disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction). Each component is rated on a 0-3 severity scale referring to the frequency of each disturbance, and yields a global score with a range of 0-21.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 1-week post treatment and 1-month post treatment
Fatigue Severity Change
The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) measures fatigue and its effects on functioning. The FSS is comprised of nine items rated on a Likert-type rating scale (1-7), where one indicates no impairment and seven indicates severe impairment.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 1-week post treatment and 1-month post treatment
Treatment Satisfaction
The ARMS-12 measures confidence, comfortability, and perceptions towards the program. The ARMS-12 is comprised of 12 items rated on a Likert-type rating scale (1-7), where one indicates the how strongly the agree or disagree with the statement.
Time frame: 1-week post treatment
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