Computerised Behavioural Activation for Young People With Depression

  • STATUS
    Recruiting
  • participants needed
    10
  • sponsor
    University of York
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Updated on 16 February 2024
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depressive symptoms
depressed mood

Summary

The primary aim of this non-randomised feasibility study is to 1) examine the acceptability of a newly developed computerised Behavioural Activation programme (BALM) in treating young people experiencing low mood/depression and 2) assess the feasibility of undertaking a pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of the intervention.

Description

Approximately 20% of adolescents will have had at least one depressive episode by the age of 18 making depression one of the leading causes of illness and disability in young people. Although receiving effective treatment is important, as few as 35% of young people seek help, with treatment-related issues (e.g. stigma, negative attitudes about help-seeking, accessibility, reluctance to engage one-to-one with a therapist, etc) outlined as reasons for this. Computerised therapies, which have increased availability and accessibility, reduced stigma and can be delivered in a format attractive to many young people may avoid some of these barriers and provide a more effective treatment option for young people.

Behavioural Activation (BA) - a type of talking therapy focused on increasing liked activities has demonstrated effectiveness in treating depression in adults and, owing to this, is an evidence-based treatment for depression within NICE (2009) guidelines. Despite this, less research has examined its use with young people.

We have developed BALM (Behavioural Activation for Low Mood), an online BA programme designed for use with young people experiencing mild to moderate low mood or depression. The development of BALM was based upon the findings of a systematic review and a series of qualitative interviews and focus groups with young people and healthcare professionals.

Eligible young people will be referred to the programme via healthcare professionals working in local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and mental health practitioners based in local secondary schools.

The findings of this research will allow us to refine the intervention and the research methods we employ in preparation for a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the new treatment.

Details
Condition Endogenous depression, Depression, Depression, Low Mood
Age 11years - 16years
Treatment BALM
Clinical Study IdentifierNCT04291547
SponsorUniversity of York
Last Modified on16 February 2024

Eligibility

 Yes No Not Sure

Inclusion Criteria

Aged 11 to 16 years at the date of consent
Experiencing low mood or depression symptoms as defined by a score of 20 on the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire
In agreement that their primary care provider and a parent/guardian can be informed of any concerns the lead researcher has about their wellbeing during participation

Exclusion Criteria

Within the normal range on the measure of depressive symptoms (i.e. attaining a score of 19 on the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire)
Experiencing severe low mood or depression symptoms
Experiencing any comorbid mental health diagnoses
Non-English speaking (due to the small scope of this study, the option of providing translated versions of BALM and the outcome measures was not feasible)
Deemed to be at risk of self-harm or suicide
Have no access to the internet and therefore no programme access
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