title: A survey of eMedia-delivered interventions for schizophrenia used in randomized controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Randomized trials evaluating electronic Media (eMedia) delivery of interventions are increasingly frequent in mental health. Although a number of reviews have reported efficacy of these interventions, none has reviewed the type of eMedia interventions and quality of their description. We therefore decided to conduct a survey of eMedia-delivered interventions for schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed all relevant trials reliably identified in the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's comprehensive register of trials by authors working independently. Data were extracted regarding the size of the trial, interventions, outcomes and how well the intervention was described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  eMedia delivery of interventions is increasingly frequent in trials relevant to the care of people with schizophrenia. The trials varied considerably in sample sizes (mean =123, median =87, range =20-507), and interventions were diverse, rarely evaluating the same approaches and were poorly reported. This makes replication impossible. Outcomes in these studies are limited, have not been noted to be chosen by end users and seem unlikely to be easy to apply in routine care. No study reported on potential adverse effects or cost, end users satisfaction or ease of use. None of the papers mentioned the use of CONSORT eHealth guidelines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need to improve reporting and testing of psychosocial interventions delivered by eMedia. New trials should comply with CONSORT eHealth guidance on design, conduct and reporting, and existing CONSORT should be updated regularly, as the field is constantly evolving.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Farooq
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Naeem
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Munshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Shuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Farhad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shokraneh
authors.affiliation: Trenlogic, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Yumeen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ayub
authors.affiliation: Nottingham University, Nottingham.
authors.forename: Clive E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: Keele University, Stafford, UK.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farooq
keywords: eMedia; information technology; methodology; randomized trials; schizophrenia; survey