@Article{info:doi/10.2196/41590,
author="Taylor, Rachael Wallis
and Male, Rhian
and Economides, Marcos
and Bolton, Heather
and Cavanagh, Kate",
title="Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Digital Interventions for Depressive Symptoms in Working Adults: Multiarm Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="JMIR Form Res",
year="2023",
month="Jun",
day="16",
volume="7",
pages="e41590",
keywords="depression; digital intervention; randomized controlled trial; RCT; cognitive behavioral therapy; CBT; acceptance and commitment therapy; ACT; behavioral activation; BA; mobile phone",
abstract="Background: Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent and have broad-ranging negative implications. Digital interventions are increasingly available in the workplace context, but supporting evidence is limited. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of 3 digital interventions for depressive symptoms in a sample of UK-based working adults experiencing mild to moderate symptoms. Methods: This was a parallel, multiarm, pilot randomized controlled trial. Participants were allocated to 1 of 3 digital interventions or a waitlist control group and had 3 weeks to complete 6 to 8 short self-guided sessions. The 3 interventions are available on the Unmind mental health app for working adults and draw on behavioral activation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Web-based assessments were conducted at baseline, postintervention (week 3), and at 1-month follow-up (week 7). Participants were recruited via Prolific, a web-based recruitment platform, and the study was conducted entirely on the web. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed using objective engagement data and self-reported feedback. Efficacy outcomes were assessed using validated self-report measures of mental health and functioning and linear mixed models with intention-to-treat principles. Results: In total, 2003 individuals were screened for participation, of which 20.22{\%} (405/2003) were randomized. A total of 92{\%} (373/405) of the participants were retained in the study, 97.4{\%} (295/303) initiated their allocated intervention, and 66.3{\%} (201/303) completed all sessions. Moreover, 80.6{\%} (229/284) of the participants rated the quality of their allocated intervention as excellent or good, and 79.6{\%} (226/284) of the participants were satisfied or very satisfied with their intervention. All active groups showed improvements in well-being, functioning, and depressive and anxiety symptoms compared with the control group, which were maintained at 4 weeks. Hedges g effect sizes for depressive symptoms ranged from −0.53 (95{\%} CI −0.25 to −0.81) to −0.74 (95{\%} CI −0.45 to −1.03). Conclusions: All interventions were feasible and acceptable, and the preliminary efficacy findings indicated that their use may improve depressive symptoms, well-being, and functioning. The predefined criteria for a definitive trial were met. Trial Registration: International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) ISRCTN13067492; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN13067492 ",
issn="2561-326X",
doi="10.2196/41590",
url="https://formative.jmir.org/2023/1/e41590",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/41590",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37327027"
}