RCT of the Effectiveness of BWW compared to Other Online Support
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Randomised controlled trial of an established direct to public peer support and e-therapy programme (Big White Wall) versus information to aid self-management of depression and anxiety.
IRAS ID
203206
Contact name
R Morriss
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Depression and anxiety are respectively the second and seventh leading causes of years lived with disability in the world among all health problems according to the World Health Organisation. A population approach to the management of depression and anxiety employing supported self-management is therefore an attractive option for several reasons:
1) The scale of the problem is too great to be managed through primary and secondary services.
2) People choose not to go to their GP.
3) People are unsure where the boundary lies between some problems with stress on the one hand or, anxiety and depression on the other.
4) As part of a person's recovery, people prefer to manage their problems themselves.
5) To combat social isolation.
6) Primary and secondary care services largely manage acute symptoms of anxiety and depression and do not provide enough information and support for self-help to prevent recurrence.REBOOT Notts is a randomised controlled trial of the impact on wellbeing of an online peer support site (Big White Wall) that provides 24 hour supported self-management compared to online information alone (NHS Moodzone), for people with symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study also wishes to explore who and how many people might wish to utilise such a service and include those that are socially isolated and hard to reach.
Participants will self-refer having been informed about the study through a campaign that includes media and local press, advertising on public transport and promotion by health and social care representatives.
Potential participants will be directed to the study website through which the whole study will be conducted including eligibility, information, consent, randomisation and follow up.
Involvement will last for 6 months with follow up times at 3, 6, 12 and 26 weeks.
Contact information for the research team will be available throughout.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0204
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion