Randomized Trial of Depression Follow-up Care by Email

Randomized Trial of E-mail Follow-up Care After Cognitive Behavioural Treatment for Depression

The primary objective of this study is to test in a randomized effectiveness trial if e-mail delivered cognitive behavioural treatment is an effective follow-up care approach in the treatment of depression under clinically representative conditions.

Depression belongs to the most prevalent mental disorders and often goes along with a high burden of disease. Although the efficacy and the effectiveness of psychological treatments for depressive disorders have been demonstrated, there remains the problem of maintaining the benefits achieved during the initial treatment phase. Therefore options of follow-up care have to be considered. Since access to psychotherapeutic treatments is limited and costly, internet-based interventions can offer a feasible opportunity for follow-up care in order to enhance the long-term effectiveness of psychotherapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Depressive disorder: F32.0-F32.2; F33.0-F33.2; F34.1 according to ICD-10
• Precursory CBT
• Internet access

Exclusion Criteria:

• No knowledge of the German language
• Risk of suicide
• Acute psychosis or psychotic symptoms
• Established concurrent in vivo CBT after discharge from inpatient CBT