Rationale and methods of the iFightDepression study: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of an internet-based self-management tool for moderate to mild depression

Justicia Díaz, AzucenaElices, MatildeCebrià, Ana IsabelPalao Vidal, Diego J.Gorosabel, JesúsPuigdemont, Dolorsde Diego-Adeliño, JavierGabilondo Cuéllar, AndreaIruin, AlvaroHegerl, UlrichPérez, Victor2017-07-142017-07-142017Justicia Díaz A, Elices M, Cebria AI, Palao Vidal DJ, Gorosabel J, Puigdemont D, de Diego-Adeliño J, Gabilondo Cuéllar A, Iruin A, Hegerl U, Pérez V. Rationale and methods of the iFightDepression study: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of an internet-based self-management tool for moderate to mild depression. BMC Psychiatry. 2017; 17(1): 143. DOI: 10.1186/s12888-017-1306-21471-244Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/10230/32542Background: During the last decade online interventions have emerged as a promising approach for patients with mild/moderate depressive symptoms, reaching at large populations and representing cost-effective alternatives. The main objective of this double-blind, randomized controlled trial is to examine the efficacy of an internet-based self-management tool (iFightDepression) for mild to moderate depression as an add-on to treatment as usual (TAU) versus internet-based psychoeducation plus TAU. Methods: A total of 310 participants with major depression disorder (MDD) will be recruited at four different mental-health facilities in Spain. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two study arms: iFightDepression (iFD) tool + TAU vs. internet-based psychoeducation + TAU. Both interventions last for 8 weeks and there is a 12 weeks follow up. The primary outcome measure is changes in depressive symptoms assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Additionally, pre-post interventions assessments will include socio-demographic data, a brief medical and clinical history and self-reported measures of depressive symptoms, quality of life, functional impairments and satisfaction with the iFD tool. Discussion: iFightDepression is an easy-prescribed tool that could increase the efficacy of conventional treatment and potentially reach untreated patients, shortening waiting lists to receive psychological treatment. Confirming the efficacy of the iFD internet-based self-management tool as an add-on treatment for individuals with mild to moderate depression will be clinically-relevant.application/pdfeng© Justicia A, Elices M, Cebria AI, Palao DJ, Gorosabel J, Puigdemont D, de Diego-Adeliño J, Gabilondo A, Iruin A, Hegerl U, Pérez V. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.Rationale and methods of the iFightDepression study: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of an internet-based self-management tool for moderate to mild depressioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1306-2DepressionCognitive behavioural therapyInternet-basedSelf-managementPrimary careRandomized controlled trialinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess