title: Effect of a Web-Based Guided Self-help Intervention for Prevention of Major Depression in Adults With Subthreshold Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evidence-based treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) are not very successful in improving functional and health outcomes. Attention has increasingly been focused on the prevention of MDD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based guided self-help intervention for the prevention of MDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two-group randomized clinical trial conducted between March 1, 2013, and March 4, 2015. Participants were recruited in Germany from the general population via a large statutory health insurance company (ie, insurance funded by joint employer-employee contributions). Participants included 406 self-selected adults with subthreshold depression (Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score ≥16, no current MDD according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [Fourth Edition, Text Revision] criteria).
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants had unrestricted access to usual care (visits to the primary care clinician) and were randomized to either a web-based guided self-help intervention (cognitive-behavioral and problem-solving therapy supported by an online trainer; n = 202) or a web-based psychoeducation program (n = 204).
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was time to onset of MDD in the intervention group relative to the control group over a 12-month follow-up period as assessed by blinded diagnostic raters using the telephone-administered Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis Disorders at 6- and 12-month follow-up, covering the period to the previous assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 406 randomized patients (mean age, 45 years; 73.9% women), 335 (82%) completed the telephone follow-up at 12 months. Fifty-five participants (27%) in the intervention group experienced MDD compared with 84 participants (41%) in the control group. Cox regression analyses controlling for baseline depressive symptom severity revealed a hazard ratio of 0.59 (95% CI, 0.42-0.82; P = .002) at 12-month follow-up. The number needed to treat to avoid 1 new case of MDD was 5.9 (95% CI, 3.9-14.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among patients with subthreshold depression, the use of a web-based guided self-help intervention compared with enhanced usual care reduced the incidence of MDD over 12 months. Further research is needed to understand whether the effects are generalizable to both first onset of depression and depression recurrence as well as efficacy without the use of an online trainer.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  German Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: DRKS00004709.
authors.affiliation: Division of Online Health Training, Innovation Incubator, Leuphana University Lueneburg, Germany2Department of Clinical Psychology, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buntrock
authors.affiliation: Division of Online Health Training, Innovation Incubator, Leuphana University Lueneburg, Germany3Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
authors.forename: David Daniel
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Ebert
authors.affiliation: Division of Online Health Training, Innovation Incubator, Leuphana University Lueneburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lehr
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands4Department of Public Mental Health, Trimbos Institute (Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction), Utrecht5Department of.
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.affiliation: Division of Online Health Training, Innovation Incubator, Leuphana University Lueneburg, Germany2Department of Clinical Psychology, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands6Institute of Telepsychiatry, Univer.
authors.forename: Heleen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Riper
authors.affiliation: Division of Online Health Training, Innovation Incubator, Leuphana University Lueneburg, Germany3Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berking
authors.affiliation: Division of Online Health Training, Innovation Incubator, Leuphana University Lueneburg, Germany2Department of Clinical Psychology, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pim
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cuijpers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011340:Problem Solving; D012008:Recurrence; D012648:Self Care