E-care 4 caregivers – an online intervention for nonprofessional caregivers of patients with depression: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Bijker, L.; Kleiboer, Annet; Riper, Heleen; Cuijpers, Pim; Donker, Tara

doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1320-6

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Web-based services and interventions can not only provide effective help for the patients, but also for caregivers, relatives and informal caregivers [41]. These services highlight another aspect of E-mental health that is focussed on the support of caregivers and has both direct and indirect influence on the treatment of the patient [42].…”

Section: Link With Others' Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Utilization of e-mental-health and online self-management interventions of patients with mental disorders—A cross-sectional analysis

2020

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Background Web-based treatments and online self-management interventions extend the range of therapeutic supply. Since the number of online self-management interventions is steadily increasing, we aimed to examine, how web-based services currently influence mental health care, asking about previous internet use and future interests of patients with mental disorders. Methods We consulted patients (n = 400) from all services of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the University of Leipzig using a 28-item questionnaire. Overall, 301 questionnaires could be used for analysis. The data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics and group comparisons. Results The majority of patients (98.3%) were using the internet. Data revealed younger patients were searching for information on diseases (p < .001; M = 35.7 ±13.2), psychiatrists (p < .001; M = 34.6 ±11.6) and exchange with other patients (p < .001; M = 32 ±10.6) more often than older patients. We also found the internet was consulted more often regarding the search for information (p = .011; M = 58.3 ±10.9) and psychiatrists (p < .001; M = 35.7 ±13.2) the lower the patients' level of functioning was. While only a small proportion (10.1%) of the sample had used online self-management interventions before, there is a far greater number (46.1%) who stated an interest to use online self-management interventions in the future. This interest was greater in patients who were younger (p < .001; M = 33.8 ±13.2) had a higher education level (p = .003; university degree = 59.2%, high school degree = 52.3%; mandatory school degree: 34.8%).

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Section: Link With Others' Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Utilization of e-mental-health and online self-management interventions of patients with mental disorders—A cross-sectional analysis

2020

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“…The coach (who was trained in CBT and supervised by a licensed healthcare psychologist who is also a licensed CBT therapist) sent a minimum of four messages in the six-week intervention period to serve as a reminder and encourage participants to follow the modules they wanted as well as offering support. For more information regarding the development and content of the online intervention we refer to the protocol paper of this project ( Bijker et al, 2016 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore we have developed ‘E-care for caregivers’, a self-management internet intervention for the non-professional caregiver of depressed patients. The development of the internet intervention is described in the protocol paper of this study ( Bijker et al, 2016 ). This paper describes the results of a pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to evaluate (1) the user-friendliness of ‘E-care for caregivers’, and (2) the initial effects of ‘E-care for caregivers’ on psychological distress, subjective burden, anxiety symptoms, level of mastery and quality of life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A pilot randomized controlled trial of E-care for caregivers: An internet intervention for caregivers of depressed patients

Bijker

Kleiboer

Riper

et al. 2017

Internet Interventions

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BackgroundDepression has a high impact on both patients and the people around them. These non-professional caregivers often experience overburdening and are at risk for developing psychological symptoms themselves. Internet interventions have the potential to be accessible and (cost)-effective in terms of reducing and preventing psychological symptoms. Less is known about their potential to decrease psychological distress among caregivers. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate (1) the user-friendliness and (2) the initial short-term effects on psychological distress of ‘E-care for caregivers’, an internet based guided self-management intervention for non-professional caregivers of depressed patients.MethodsA pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT: n = 80) comparing ‘E-care for caregivers’ (n = 41) with a waitlist-control group (n = 39). The primary outcome measure (user-friendliness) was assessed with the System Usability Scale (SUS) and semi-structured telephone interviews among participants. Interviews were qualitatively analyzed with thematic content analysis. Secondary outcomes were assessed through online questionnaires administered at baseline and post-intervention at six weeks among caregivers. Statistical analyses were conducted according to the intention-to-treat principle using regression techniques for the secondary outcomes.ResultsAll participants were recruited within six weeks through online advertising. Two-thirds of participants experienced higher levels of psychological distress (K10 > 20). The internet intervention was evaluated as user-friendly by caregivers (average score of 81.5, range [0–100]). Results did not show a reduction in psychological distress or other secondary outcome measures. Sensitivity analyses showed a decreased quality of life in the control condition compared to the intervention condition (p = 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.44) and higher levels of mastery (p = 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.48) in the intervention condition compared to controls.DiscussionThe internet intervention was evaluated positively for usability and was considered as easy to use. The study did not show a reduction in symptoms of psychological distress. However, there were some indications that those completing the internet intervention perceived higher levels of mastery and a protective effect in quality of life post-intervention.Strengths and limitationsAs far as we know, this study is the first to examine the user-friendliness and initial effects of an internet intervention specifically designed for non-professional caregivers of depressed patients. As this was a pilot study, the findings should be interpreted with caution. We recommend investigating the possibilities of providing a (partially) sequential design as well as incorporating themes like stigma and expressed emotion in the online course and subsequent evaluation of the internet intervention in a full-scale RCT, with a six-month follow-up.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register: NTR5268. Registered on 30 June 2015.

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Online recruitment of a non-help-seeking sample for an internet intervention: Lessons learned in an alcohol-exposed pregnancy risk reduction study

MacDonnell¹,

Cowen²,

Cunningham³

et al. 2019

Internet Interventions

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BackgroundRecruiting a hidden population, such as the population of women at risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP) who binge drink and are at risk of an unintended pregnancy, is challenging as this population is not typically seeking help or part of an identifiable group. We sought to identify affordable and efficient methods of recruitment for hidden populations.MethodsSeveral popular online social media and advertising sites were identified. Cities with high rates of binge drinking among women were targeted. We placed advertisements and study notices using Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist, University postings, and ClinicalTrials.gov.ResultsFor this study, 75 women at risk for AEP were recruited from across the U.S. within 7 months. Online advertising for study participants on Craigslist resulted in enrollment of the majority 51 (68%) of the study participants. While Craigslist advertising could be tailored to specific locations with high rates of binge drinking among women, there were challenges to using Craigslist. These included automated deletion due to repeated postings and mention of sexual behavior or drinking, requiring increased efforts and resources by the study team. Several strategies were developed to optimize advertising on Craigslist. Approximately 100 h of staff time valued at $2500 was needed over the 7-month recruitment period.DiscussionDespite challenges, the target sample of women at risk for AEP was recruited in the 7 month recruitment period using online advertising methods. We recommend that researchers consider online classified advertisements when recruiting from non-help seeking populations. By taking advantage of national data to target specific risk factors, and by tailoring advertising efforts, it is possible to efficiently and affordably recruit a non-treatment seeking sample.

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E-care 4 caregivers – an online intervention for nonprofessional caregivers of patients with depression: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Cited by 5 publications

References 24 publications

Utilization of e-mental-health and online self-management interventions of patients with mental disorders—A cross-sectional analysis

Utilization of e-mental-health and online self-management interventions of patients with mental disorders—A cross-sectional analysis

A pilot randomized controlled trial of E-care for caregivers: An internet intervention for caregivers of depressed patients

Online recruitment of a non-help-seeking sample for an internet intervention: Lessons learned in an alcohol-exposed pregnancy risk reduction study

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