Designing and Developing Integrated Therapist and Online CBT (Phase 1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Designing and Developing Integrated Therapist and Online CBT for depression (INTERACT Phase 1)
IRAS ID
221433
Contact name
Birgit Whitman
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for depression. Investment in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services has increased provision of brief, low intensity interventions in England. However, substantial variation in the provision of high intensity CBT treatments remains.
CBT-based computerised interventions (cCBT) were designed to make CBT available at low cost and have often been delivered as low intensity interventions with minimal or no practitioner support. However, engagement with cCBT is poor and, in the absence of support, effects are modest and short-term.
Innovative use of technology and integration of online materials into therapy could increase efficiency, reduce costs, and widen access to therapy, whilst maintaining the long-term effectiveness of CBT delivered by high intensity therapists.
We aim to design a new intervention that will blend high intensity therapy with innovative use of technology to maintain effectiveness of face-to-face CBT. It will increase the availability of CBT and include groups for whom access is difficult. Service users and CBT therapists will be invited to participate in this development work.
Service users will be recruited from: previous CBT trials conducted by the research team (if consent was provided for future contact); local psychological services; and existing Patient and Public Involvement groups. Those aged over 18, with experience of depression and CBT, will be invited to attend one or two of our design workshops, and/or a prototype (early design) testing session.
Therapists will be recruited from two routes: those who collaborated on previous CBT trials conducted by the study team; and via local psychological services. Those who are accredited (or have equivalent experience) and deliver high-intensity CBT, will be invited to attend an individual interview to discuss their views, and/or a ‘platform walkthrough’ (testing) session to provide feedback on our early designs.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SW/0058
Date of REC Opinion
24 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion