Background: Symptoms of depression and anxiety are prevalent among Spanish university students. Minimally guided online interventions have shown promise in reducing symptomatology and preventing increased mental distress. There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of guided preventive mental health interventions for depression and anxiety in university students. Methods: two-arm multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT), addressed to undergraduate students from 6 public universities with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Students will be evaluated through an online survey assessing mental health problems, use of mental health services, sociodemographic variables, self-perceived health, childhood and adolescent adversities, recent stressful events, social networks, personality and university experiences. A total of 600 students will be randomly assigned to: intervention group (guided E-health prevention intervention) or control group (treatment as usual with self-monitoring). The intervention, in app format, is based on principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, includes weekly feedback based on content and participation from a psychologist and self-monitoring. Assessments will take place post-intervention (up to 6 weeks), at 6 months and 12 months after randomization. The primary outcome will be the reduction of depressive or anxiety symptoms post-intervention, assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS). Secondary outcomes of the RCT will be mental wellbeing, academic stress, comorbid symptoms, and adherence. Analyses will be conducted on an intention-to-treat and per protocol basis. Discussion: The results of the PROMES-U RCT will provide valuable information on a guided preventive online intervention that could be delivered in the campus context. In addition, results will provide information on the positive impact of the intervention on other relevant factors involved in mental health among university students.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
600
The MyMoodCoach prevention intervention is an evidence-based online intervention based on cognitive-behavioral therapy principles such as behavioral activation, problem solving and challenging negative thoughts.
Miquel Roca
Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
RECRUITINGChange of depressive symptoms
The primary outcome will be the change of depressive symptoms at post-intervention (up to 6 weeks), 6 months and 12 months post randomization, considering the minimal clinically relevant change in the scores of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS). The PHQ-9 range from 0 to 27, higher scores mean a worse outcome. The PHQ-ADS range from 0 to 48 with higher scores indicating more severe depression.
Time frame: Up to 6 weeks, at 6 months and 12 months after randomization
Change of anxiety symptoms
The primary outcome will be the change of anxiety symptoms at post-intervention (up to 6 weeks), 6 months and 12 months post randomization, considering the minimal clinically relevant change in the scores of Generalized Anxiety Disorder -7 (GAD-7) he Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS). The GAD-7 range from 0 to 21, higher scores mean a worse outcome. The PHQ-ADS range from 0 to 48 with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety.
Time frame: Up to 6 weeks and at 6 months and 12 months post randomization
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