Moodbuster Lite

Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) is more effective when it is guided by human support than when it is unguided. This may be attributable to higher adherence rates that result from a positive effect of the accompanying support on motivation and on engagement with the intervention. This study aims to start bridging the gap between guided and unguided interventions. It will test an intervention that includes automated support delivered by an embodied conversational agent (ECA) in the form of a virtual coach or personalised automated motivational support messages. It will employ a pilot two-armed randomized controlled trial design. The primary outcomes of the trial will be (1) the effectiveness of iCBT, as supported by a virtual coach or personalised automated motivational support messages, in terms of improved intervention adherence in comparison with unguided iCBT; and (2) the feasibility of a future, larger-scale trial in terms of recruitment, acceptability, and sample size calculation. Secondary aims will be to assess the effect of the virtual coach and the personalised automated motivational support messages on motivation, users’ perceptions of the virtual coach, and the general feasibility of the intervention as supported by a virtual coach or personalised automated motivational support messages. We will recruit N = 105 participants from the general population who wish to learn how they can improve their mood by using Moodbuster Lite, a 4-week cognitive-behavioral therapy course. Candidates with symptoms of moderate to severe depression will be excluded from study participation. Included participants will be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to either (1) Moodbuster Lite with automated support delivered by a virtual coach, or (2) Moodbuster Lite with personalised automated motivational support messages or (3) Moodbuster Lite without automated support. Assessments will be taken at baseline and post-study four weeks later.

Following Moodbuster Lite with guidance provided by a virtual coach or personalised automated motivational support messages leads to higher adherence rates than following Moodbuster Lite unguided.

Baseline (T1), Post-study (T2)

(1) Moodbuster Lite with guidance by a virtual coach; (2) Moodbuster Lite with personalised automated motivational support messages; (3)Moodbuster Lite without guidance