This adaptive randomized controlled trial evaluates the efficacy of a transdiagnostic, internet-delivered psychological intervention for emotional disorders, tailored to patient´s early clinical response. 366 adults with clinically significant symptoms of depression and/or anxiety will begin a 12 module self-applied program. Based on sympton reduction after the first three modules, participants will be classified as early or late responders and randomized into different experimental arms. The main hypothesis is that a hybrid format (self-applied modules plus synchronous sessions with a therapist) will yield better outcomes for late responders. Outcomes include symptom reduction, emotional regulation and internet based therapheutic alliance.
To assess its effectiveness, two formats will be compared: the original, consisting of 12 self-administered modules, and a hybrid format, which includes two synchronous videoconference sessions with a trained therapist. Early responders will either continue with the original intervention or discontinue treatment; while late responders will receive the hybrid format or continue with the original intervention. The primary expected result is that the hybrid format will improve treatment outcomes for late responders compared to the self-applied format. The findings are expected to inform clinical practice by highlighting the importance of assessing symptomatic response throughout treatment, especially in its early phases.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
366
Is a manualized treatment for emotional disorders delivered through an interactive multimedia platform. The self applied format consists of 12 self applied modules (psychoeducation, emotional processing, cognitive flexibility training, exposure, coping strategies, maladaptive behaviors, avoidance, etc)
Hybrid format: 12 self applied modules with two synchronous videoconference sessions with a trained therapist
Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE-34, Evans et al., 2002)
Is a self report questionnaire designed to assess psychological distress and global functioning across four domains: subjective well being, problems/symptoms, functioning and risk. Items are rated on a 5 point Likert scale. The instrument has demostrated good psychometrics properties. Higher scores indicate greater psychological distress.
Time frame: Day 1 (BL) Week 3, 6, 9, 12 Week 25 Year 1
Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation 10 (CORE 10, Barkham et al., 2013)
Is a Self-report 10-items questionnaire with 5 Likert response options. Assess general distress. Validated for Spanish speaking population with adequate internal consistency, convergent validity and sensitivity to change.
Time frame: Day 1 (BL) Week 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS, Gratz & Roemer, 2004)
Self- report 28-items questionnaire with 5 Likert response options. The scale assesses emotion regulation process and several difficulties associated. Adapted and validated in Spain with sound psychometric properties reported -internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent and incremental validity.
Time frame: Day 1 (BL) Week 3, 6, 9, 12 Week 25 Year 1
Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP32, Horowitz, 2000)
Is is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess interpersonal difficulties experienced over the past month. It covers eight dimensions of interpersonal functioning (e.g., being too controlling, socially inhibited, or self-sacrificing). Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The IIP-32 is a widely validated and efficient tool for identifying interpersonal patterns relevant to psychological distress and treatment planning.
Time frame: Day 1 (BL) Week 3, 6, 9, 12 Week 25 Year 1
Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS; Norman et al., 2006)
Self-report 5-item questionnaire that assesses frequency and severity of anxiety symptoms during the previous week. With 5 Likert response options (from 0 to 4). Adapted in Spain with good internal consistency (α = .86) and test-retest reliability (k= .84)
Time frame: Day 1 (BL) Week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Week 25 Year 1
Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale (ODSIS; Bentley et al., 2014)
Self-report 5-item questionnaire with 5 Likert response options (from 0 to 4). Assesses frequency and severity of depression symptoms during the previous week. Adapted in Spain with excellent psychometrics properties, internal consistency (α = .93) and convergent and discriminant validity
Time frame: Day 1 (BL) Week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Week 25 Year 1
Working Alliance Inventory for Internet Interventions (WAI-I; Gómez Penedo et al., 2020).
12-items self-report questionnaire with 5 Likert response options. Assesses working alliance in internet-based interventions. Validated in German sample of adults with depressive symptoms receiving guided online intervention
Time frame: Week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Emotional Processing Self Report (EP-SR; Fisher et al., 2025)
Self-report 7-items questionnaire with 5 Likert response options. Assesses emotional processing during therapeutic sessions in three independent dimensions: emotional expression, regulation and understanding emotional meaning. The instrument demonstrates adequate psychometrics properties, with internal consistency, convergent, incremental and predictive validity in clinical sample. It has not yet been validated in Spanish speaking population.
Time frame: Week 3, 6, 9, 12 Week 25 Year 1
Unified Protocol Skill Use Scale (UPSUS; Southward, & Sauer-Zavala, 2022)
Self-report 7-items questionnaire with 7 Likert response options. Assesses the use of emotional regulation skills from Barlow's Unified Protocol (UP). Adapted for Spanish speaking population
Time frame: Week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Brief Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Brief PANAS; Watson et al., 1988
Self-report 10-items questionnaire with 5 Likert response options (1 to 5). Assesses positive and negative affectivity (trait/state) during the past few weeks. Adapted for Spanish speaking population
Time frame: Day 1 (BL) Week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Quality of Life Index Spanish (QLI-Sp; Mezzich et al., 2000)
Self-report questionnaire containing 10 ítems with 10 Likert response options. Assess physical and emotional wellbeing, social support, interpersonal functioning, personal satisfaction and overall assessment of quality of life. Validated in Spanish speaking population with adequate psychometric properties in clinical sample (α = .87).
Time frame: Day 1 (BL) Week 3, 6, 9, 12 Week 25 Year 1
Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES; Jerusalem & Schwarzer, 1992).
Self-report 10-items questionnaire with 4-point Likert scale. Assesses general sense of perceived self-efficacy. Validated in Spanish speaking population with sound psychometric properties
Time frame: Day 1 (BL) Week 3, 6, 9, 12 Week 25 Year 1
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.