Internet-based behavioural activation with lay counsellor support versus online minimal psychoeducation without support for treatment of depression: a randomised controlled trial in Indonesia

Publication date: Available online 11 July 2018Source: The Lancet PsychiatryAuthor(s): Retha Arjadi, Maaike H Nauta, Willem F Scholte, Steven D Hollon, Neerja Chowdhary, Angela O Suryani, Cuno S P M Uiterwaal, Claudi L H BocktingSummaryBackgroundDepression is one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease. However, treatment availability is often very poor in low-income and middle-income countries. In a randomised clinical trial, we investigated the efficacy of internet-based behavioural activation with lay counsellor support compared with online minimal psychoeducation without support for depression in Indonesia (a middle-income country).MethodsWe did a community-based, two-group, randomised controlled trial in Indonesia. Eligible participants were aged 16 years or older, scored 10 or above on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), met the criteria for major depressive disorder or persistent depressive disorder based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5, were proficient in Bahasa Indonesia, and could use the internet. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) by a research assistant using a web-based randomisation program to online behavioural activation with lay support (termed Guided Act and Feel Indonesia [GAF-ID]) or online psychoeducation without further support. Randomisation was done within a random permuted block design and was stratified by sex and depression severity (ie, PHQ-9 10–14 vs ≥15). The primary outcome was self-reporte...
Source: The Lancet Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research