Counselling for Depression: The PRaCTICED Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pragmatic non-inferiority randomised controlled trial of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of counselling for depression versus cognitive-behaviour therapy, for clients in primary care meeting a diagnosis of moderate or severe depression: The PRaCTICED Trial
IRAS ID
130352
Contact name
Michael Barkham
Contact email
Research summary
The study will consider patients with moderate and severe depression who have been referred to the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service in Sheffield. All patients who meet minimum criteria for moderate depression will have two treatments outlined to them: Counselling for Depression (CfD) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Both treatments are currently available in the NHS. Those patients who have a strong preference for one of the treatments such that they would not be willing to receive the other, will not be progressed to the trial and will receive treatment in the standard service. Those with no strong preference will be invited to a research interview and, if they meet the inclusion criteria, will be randomised into one of the two treatments and will receive a minimum of 8 sessions and up to 16 sessions (or 20 sessions if needed) of Counselling for Depression or Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Treatment procedures are akin to those they would receive in routine practice. Patients will be followed up at the end of their treatment and by postal questionnaire 6 and 12 months after randomisation to see whether there is any difference in the outcomes for the two groups.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/0001
Date of REC Opinion
4 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion