Moodbuster Light: pilot study to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of online CBT for prevention and treatment of depression

Sub-clinical depression, with an annual prevalence rate of 16% in the Dutch
adult population, is an important risk factor for developing a major depression
as defined by the DSM-IV (Beekman et al. 2002). Efforts to reduce this disease
burden may thus be found in increasing the availability and uptake of
cost-effective preventioninterventions for sub-clinical depression. Prevention
m y indeed not only help people to overcome sub-clinical depressive complaints
but may also contribute to a decrease in the onset or delay of major
depression. There is now ample evidence that prevention, such as interventions
based upon cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), is just able to do that
(Beekman et al 2010). For example, Cuijpers and colleagues (2008) showed in a
meta-analysis that preventive interventions significantly reduced the
incidence of depressive disorders by 22% compared with treatment-as-usual
control groups for different target groups and
settings (e.g. women at risk of postpartum depression and students).


The reach and uptake of depression prevention have substantially increased
since the availability of Internet-based
interventions over the last decade (Riper et al. 2007; van *t Land et al. 2010)
but they are in general still very low. Currently, a number of innovative
strategies are being explored to overcome these problems. One such exploration
entails the use of mobile phones for the delivery of preventive interventions
(Prociow & Crowe 2010). In terms of potential access these devices appear very
suitable as mobile phone are reaching complete coverage in the Netherlands,
while smart phone coverage is growing very fast.

The primary aim of this pilot study is to explore the feasibility and the
usability of an innovative, combined internet and smartphone intervention for
the prevention of depressive disorders among adults in the general population.

To evaluate the feasibility and the usability of Mood buster-Light, a pilot
study consisting of three phases will be performed. The first phase consists of
the refinement of the application, and in the second phase a pre-pilot is
performed among students. In the third phase of the study, a sample of 50
persons will be recruited from the general population. Measurements consists of
a basline assesment, followed by measurements after 6 weeks and 3 months. Also
semistructured interviews will be carried out in order to inventarisise the
expectations and expersiences of the participants.

The burden for participants consist of the following aspects:
three measurements: at baseline, after 3 weeks and 6 months
for some participants a face-to-face interview which takes about 1 hour about
their experiences with Mood Buster-light
Daily measurements (5 times per day) of mood via the mobile during 6 weeks

The risks associated with participation are neglectable