scholarly journals Effectiveness of an 8-Week Web-Based Mindfulness Virtual Community Intervention for University Students on Symptoms of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christo El Morr ◽  
Paul Ritvo ◽  
Farah Ahmad ◽  
Rahim Moineddin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND A student mental health crisis is increasingly acknowledged and will only intensify with the COVID-19 crisis. Given accessibility of methods with demonstrated efficacy in reducing depression and anxiety (eg, mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT]) and limitations imposed by geographic obstructions and localized expertise, web-based alternatives have become vehicles for scaled-up delivery of benefits at modest cost. Mindfulness Virtual Community (MVC), a web-based program informed by CBT constructs and featuring online videos, discussion forums, and videoconferencing, was developed to target depression, anxiety, and experiences of excess stress among university students. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an 8-week web-based mindfulness and CBT program in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (primary outcomes) and increasing mindfulness (secondary outcome) within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with undergraduate students at a large Canadian university. METHODS An RCT was designed to assess undergraduate students (n=160) who were randomly allocated to a web-based guided mindfulness–CBT condition (n=80) or to a waitlist control (WLC) condition (n=80). The 8-week intervention consisted of a web-based platform comprising (1) 12 video-based modules with psychoeducation on students’ preidentified life challenges and applied mindfulness practice; (2) anonymous peer-to-peer discussion forums; and (3) anonymous, group-based, professionally guided 20-minute live videoconferences. The outcomes (depression, anxiety, stress, and mindfulness) were measured via an online survey at baseline and at 8 weeks postintervention using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Form (FFMQ-SF). Analyses employed generalized estimation equation methods with AR(1) covariance structures and were adjusted for possible covariates (gender, age, country of birth, ethnicity, English as first language, paid work, unpaid work, relationship status, physical exercise, self-rated health, and access to private mental health counseling). RESULTS Of the 159 students who provided T1 data, 32 were males and 125 were females with a mean age of 22.55 years. Participants in the MVC (n=79) and WLC (n=80) groups were similar in sociodemographic characteristics at T1 with the exception of gender and weekly hours of unpaid volunteer work. At postintervention follow-up, according to the adjusted comparisons, there were statistically significant between-group reductions in depression scores (β=–2.21, <i>P</i>=.01) and anxiety scores (β=–4.82, <i>P</i>=.006), and a significant increase in mindfulness scores (β=4.84, <i>P</i>=.02) compared with the WLC group. There were no statistically significant differences in perceived stress for MVC (β=.64, <i>P</i>=.48) compared with WLC. CONCLUSIONS With the MVC intervention, there were significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms but no significant effect on perceived stress. Online mindfulness interventions can be effective in addressing common mental health conditions among postsecondary populations on a large scale, simultaneously reducing the current burden on traditional counseling services. CLINICALTRIAL ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN12249616; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12249616

scholarly journals Effectiveness of an 8-Week Web-Based Mindfulness Virtual Community Intervention for University Students on Symptoms of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/18595 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. e18595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christo El Morr ◽  
Paul Ritvo ◽  
Farah Ahmad ◽  
Rahim Moineddin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background A student mental health crisis is increasingly acknowledged and will only intensify with the COVID-19 crisis. Given accessibility of methods with demonstrated efficacy in reducing depression and anxiety (eg, mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT]) and limitations imposed by geographic obstructions and localized expertise, web-based alternatives have become vehicles for scaled-up delivery of benefits at modest cost. Mindfulness Virtual Community (MVC), a web-based program informed by CBT constructs and featuring online videos, discussion forums, and videoconferencing, was developed to target depression, anxiety, and experiences of excess stress among university students. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an 8-week web-based mindfulness and CBT program in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (primary outcomes) and increasing mindfulness (secondary outcome) within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with undergraduate students at a large Canadian university. Methods An RCT was designed to assess undergraduate students (n=160) who were randomly allocated to a web-based guided mindfulness–CBT condition (n=80) or to a waitlist control (WLC) condition (n=80). The 8-week intervention consisted of a web-based platform comprising (1) 12 video-based modules with psychoeducation on students’ preidentified life challenges and applied mindfulness practice; (2) anonymous peer-to-peer discussion forums; and (3) anonymous, group-based, professionally guided 20-minute live videoconferences. The outcomes (depression, anxiety, stress, and mindfulness) were measured via an online survey at baseline and at 8 weeks postintervention using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Form (FFMQ-SF). Analyses employed generalized estimation equation methods with AR(1) covariance structures and were adjusted for possible covariates (gender, age, country of birth, ethnicity, English as first language, paid work, unpaid work, relationship status, physical exercise, self-rated health, and access to private mental health counseling). Results Of the 159 students who provided T1 data, 32 were males and 125 were females with a mean age of 22.55 years. Participants in the MVC (n=79) and WLC (n=80) groups were similar in sociodemographic characteristics at T1 with the exception of gender and weekly hours of unpaid volunteer work. At postintervention follow-up, according to the adjusted comparisons, there were statistically significant between-group reductions in depression scores (β=–2.21, P=.01) and anxiety scores (β=–4.82, P=.006), and a significant increase in mindfulness scores (β=4.84, P=.02) compared with the WLC group. There were no statistically significant differences in perceived stress for MVC (β=.64, P=.48) compared with WLC. Conclusions With the MVC intervention, there were significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms but no significant effect on perceived stress. Online mindfulness interventions can be effective in addressing common mental health conditions among postsecondary populations on a large scale, simultaneously reducing the current burden on traditional counseling services. Trial Registration ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN12249616; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12249616

scholarly journals An Eight-Week, Web-Based Mindfulness Virtual Community Intervention for Students’ Mental Health: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/15520 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e15520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Ahmad ◽  
Christo El Morr ◽  
Paul Ritvo ◽  
Nasih Othman ◽  
Rahim Moineddin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Score Change ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background Innovative interventions are needed to address the increasing mental health needs of university students. Given the demonstrated anxiolytic and antidepressant benefits of mindfulness training, we developed an 8-week, Web-based Mindfulness Virtual Community (MVC) intervention informed by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) constructs. Objective This study investigated the efficacy of the MVC intervention in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate students in Toronto, Canada. The secondary outcomes included quality of life, life satisfaction, and mindfulness. Methods The first 4 weeks of the full MVC intervention (F-MVC) comprised: (1) 12 video-based modules with psycho-education on students’ preidentified stressful topics and topically applied mindfulness practice; (2) anonymous peer-to-peer discussion forums; and (3) anonymous, group-based, professionally guided, 20-min live videoconferences. The second 4 weeks of F-MVC involved access only to video-based modules. The 8-week partial MVC (P-MVC) comprised 12 video-based modules. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 4 parallel arms: F-MVC, P-MVC, waitlist control (WLC), and group-based face-to-face CBT; results for the latter group are presented elsewhere. Students recruited through multiple strategies consented and were randomized: WLC=40; F-MVC=40, P-MVC=39; all learned about allocation after consenting. The online surveys at baseline (T1), 4 weeks (T2), and 8 weeks (T3) included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Quality of Life Scale, Brief Multi-Dimensional Students Life Satisfaction Scale, and Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. Analyses employed generalized estimation equation methods with AR(1) covariance structures and were adjusted for possible confounders (gender, age, birth country, paid work, unpaid work, physical activities, self-rated health, and mental health counseling access). Results Of the 113 students who provided T1 data, 28 were males and 85 were females with a mean age of 24.8 years. Participants in F-MVC (n=39), P-MVC (n=35), and WLC (n=39) groups were similar in sociodemographic characteristics at T1. At T3 follow-up, per adjusted comparisons, there were statistically significant reductions in depression scores for F-MVC (score change −4.03; P<.001) and P-MVC (score change −4.82; P<.001) when compared with WLC. At T3, there was a statistically significant reduction in anxiety scores only for P-MVC (score change −7.35; P=.01) when compared with WLC. There was a statistically significant reduction in scores for perceived stress for both F-MVC (score change −5.32; P<.001) and P-MVC (score change −5.61; P=.005) compared with WLC. There were statistically significant changes at T3 for quality of life and mindfulness for F-MVC and P-MVC vs WLC but not for life satisfaction. Conclusions Internet-based mindfulness CBT–based interventions, such as F-MVC and P-MVC, can result in significant reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in a student population. Future research with a larger sample from multiple universities would more precisely test generalizability. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN92827275; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN92827275

The effectiveness of a web-based psycho-education program in a community in Selangor, Malaysia: A randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherina Mohd-Sidik ◽  
Siti Fatimah Kader Maideen ◽  
Lekhraj Rampal ◽  
Firdaus Mukhtar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference

BACKGROUND Background Mental health problems namely depression and anxiety are the most common problems in the community. Often patients do not seek professional care due to the stigma attached to it. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a web-based psycho-education program in managing mild depression and anxiety. Methods METHODS A two-arm randomized controlled trial of a single blinded, parallel study comparing a four weeks of web-based psycho-education intervention program versus a wait list control group was carried out. The intervention program consisted of four sessions, with each session accessed on a weekly basis. Participants aged 18 years and above, who have participated in the first phase of this study, having access to internet and who are internet literate were invited to participate in the study. By using a random number table, 119 eligible and consented participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control group using random number table. The primary outcomes were depression and anxiety score while the secondary outcome was mental health literacy score, which were all assessed at baseline, week 5 and week 12. Analysis was based on intention to treat analysis. RESULTS Significant difference in the mental health literacy score between the intervention and the control group was observed, F (1,117) = 20.149, p<0.001, n2=0.142. No significant difference was found in the depression (p= 0.361) and anxiety scores (p= 0.797). CONCLUSIONS The psycho-education intervention was effective in increasing the mental health literacy of the participants. CLINICALTRIAL The trial is registered in International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial, ISRCTN 39656144.

Effectiveness of Prompt Mental Health Care: Preliminary results from a randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Knapstad ◽  
L V Lervik ◽  
S M M Saether ◽  
L E Aaroe ◽  
O R F Smith
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background Prompt Mental Health Care (PMHC) service is a Norwegian initiative, adapted from the English ‘Improved Access to Psychological Therapy’ (IAPT), aimed at improving access to primary care treatment for anxiety and depression. Thus far, both PMHC and IAPT have been evaluated by cohort studies only. Albeit yielding promising results, the extent to which these are attributable to the treatment thus remains unsettled. This study investigates the effectiveness of PMHC compared to treatment as usual (TAU) at six months follow-up. Methods Randomized controlled trial with parallel assignment in two PMHC sites from November 2015 to March 2018. Participants were 681 adults (aged ≥18 years) considered for admission to PMHC due to anxiety and/or mild to moderate depression. These were randomly assigned on a 70:30 ratio. Main outcomes were recovery rates and changes in symptoms of depression and anxiety between baseline and follow-up. Primary outcome data were available for 73%/67% in the PMHC/TAU group. Sensitivity analyses based on observed patterns of missingness were conducted. Results A reliable recovery rate of 58.5% was observed in the PMHC group and 31.9% in the TAU group, yielding a between-group effect size (ES) of 0.61 [95% CI 0.37-0.85, p&lt;.001]. The differences in degree of improvement between PMHC and TAU yielded an ES of -0.88 [95% CI -1.23-0.43, p &lt; 0.001] for symptoms of depression and -0.60 [95% CI -0.90-0.30, p &lt; 0.001] for symptoms of anxiety in favour of PMHC. All sensitivity analyses pointed in the same direction with small variations in point estimates. Findings were slightly more robust for depressive than anxiety symptoms. Conclusions The PMHC treatment was substantially more effective than TAU in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression. This adaptation of IAPT is considered a viable supplement to existing health services to increase access of effective treatment for adults who suffer from anxiety and mild to moderate depression. Key messages This study is the first to evaluate the effectiveness of an IAPT-like treatment model in terms of a randomized controlled trial. Prompt Mental Health Care was substantially more effective than TAU in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety at 6-months follow-up.

scholarly journals Long-Term Smoking Cessation Outcomes for Sexual Minority Versus Nonminority Smokers in a Large Randomized Controlled Trial of Two Web-Based Interventions

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1596-1604
Author(s):  
Jaimee L Heffner ◽  
Kristin E Mull ◽  
Noreen L Watson ◽  
Jennifer B McClure ◽  
Jonathan B Bricker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Psychosocial Profile ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Baseline Characteristics

Abstract Introduction Despite greater smoking prevalence among sexual minority (SM) individuals relative to non-SM individuals, minimal research has examined whether SM smokers have differential success at quitting, and no prior treatment studies have examined differences within SM subgroups. There is also limited knowledge of the psychosocial characteristics of treatment-seeking SM smokers, which could inform targeted treatments. To address these gaps, we compared treatment outcomes and baseline characteristics for SM and non-SM smokers and for bisexual versus lesbian or gay smokers in a large randomized controlled trial of two web-based cessation treatments. Methods Trial participants completed a survey to assess baseline characteristics, including self-identification as either SM (n = 253; lesbian or gay, n = 122; bisexual, n = 131) or non-SM (n = 2384). The primary cessation outcome was complete-case, self-reported 30-day abstinence at 12 months after randomization. Results Cessation outcomes did not differ significantly for SM versus non-SM smokers (24% vs. 25%, adjusted OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.65 to 1.28) or across SM subgroups (24% for bisexual vs. 23% for lesbian or gay, adjusted OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.51 to 2.00), and there were no interactions with treatment group assignment. At baseline, SM smokers differed from non-SM smokers on most demographics, were more likely to screen positive for all mental health conditions assessed, and had greater exposure to other smokers in the home. Conclusions Substantial differences in baseline characteristics of SM versus non-SM smokers and bisexual versus lesbian or gay smokers did not translate into differential treatment outcomes. Nonetheless, SM smokers’ willingness or ability to quit smoking could be enhanced by taking their unique psychosocial profile into account when designing targeted interventions. Implications The findings of this study, which included the largest sample of SM smokers in a prospective intervention trial to date, support those of a small extant body of literature showing no differences in treatment-assisted cessation outcomes between SM and non-SM smokers. Regardless of their quit rates relative to non-SM smokers, SM smokers’ willingness or ability to quit smoking could potentially be enhanced by taking their unique psychosocial profile into account in intervention design, including their younger age, lower socioeconomic status, greater likelihood of being racial or ethnic minorities, and greater prevalence of mental health symptoms.

scholarly journals Feasibility and Effectiveness of a Web-Based Positive Psychology Program for Youth Mental Health: Randomized Controlled Trial

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijaya Manicavasagar ◽  
Deserae Horswood ◽  
Rowan Burckhardt ◽  
Alistair Lum ◽  
Dusan Hadzi-Pavlovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Psychology Program

scholarly journals Medium-Term Effects of a Tailored Web-Based Parenting Intervention to Reduce Adolescent Risk of Depression and Anxiety: 12-Month Findings From a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/13628 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. e13628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Bee Hui Yap ◽  
Mairead C Cardamone-Breen ◽  
Ronald M Rapee ◽  
Katherine A Lawrence ◽  
Andrew J Mackinnon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Adolescent Depression ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background Prevention of depression and anxiety disorders early in life is a global health priority. Evidence on risk and protective factors for youth internalizing disorders indicates that the family represents a strategic setting to target preventive efforts. Despite this evidence base, there is a lack of accessible, cost-effective preventive programs for parents of adolescents. To address this gap, we recently developed the Partners in Parenting (PiP) program—an individually tailored Web-based parenting program targeting evidence-based parenting risk and protective factors for adolescent depression and anxiety disorders. We previously reported the postintervention outcomes of a single-blinded parallel-group superiority randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which PiP was found to significantly improve self-reported parenting compared with an active-control condition (educational factsheets). Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the PiP program on parenting risk and protective factors and symptoms of adolescent depression and anxiety using data from the final assessment time point (12-month follow-up) of this RCT. Methods Parents (n=359) and adolescents (n=332) were recruited primarily from secondary schools and completed Web-based assessments of parenting and adolescent depression and anxiety symptoms at baseline, postintervention (3 months later), and 12-month follow-up (317 parents, 287 adolescents). Parents in the PiP intervention condition received personalized feedback about their parenting and were recommended a series of up to 9 interactive modules. Control group parents received access to 5 educational factsheets about adolescent development and mental health. Both groups received a weekly 5-min phone call to encourage progress through their program. Results Intervention group parents completed an average of 73.7% of their intended program. For the primary outcome of parent-reported parenting, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvement from baseline to 12-month follow-up compared with controls, with a medium effect size (Cohen d=0.51; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.72). When transformed data were used, greater reduction in parent-reported adolescent depressive symptoms was observed in the intervention group (Cohen d=−0.21; 95% CI −0.42 to −0.01). Mediation analyses revealed that these effects were mediated by improvements in parenting (indirect effect b=−0.08; 95% CI −0.16 to −0.01). No other significant intervention effects were found for adolescent-reported parenting or adolescent depression or anxiety symptoms. Both groups showed significant reductions in anxiety (both reporters) and depressive (parent reported) symptoms. Conclusions PiP improved self-reported parenting for up to 9 months postintervention, but its effects on adolescent symptoms were less conclusive, and parent-reported changes were not perceived by adolescents. Nonetheless, given its scalability, PiP may be a useful low-cost, sustainable program to empower parents of adolescents. Trial Registration Australian Clinical Trials Registration Number (ACTRN): 12615000328572; http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12615000328572.aspx (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6qgsZ3Aqj).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document