An Internet-based program for depressive symptoms using human and automated support: a randomized controlled trial

摘要

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of an Internet-based programfor depressive symptoms using automated support by information and communication technologies(ICTs) and human support.Patients and methods: An Internet-based program was used to teach adaptive ways to copewith depressive symptoms and daily problems. A total of 124 participants who were experiencingat least one stressful event that caused interference in their lives, many of whom had clinicallysignificant depressive symptoms, were randomly assigned into either an intervention group withICT support (automated mobile phone messages, automated emails, and continued feedbackthrough the program); an intervention group with ICT support plus human support (brief weeklysupport phone call without clinical content); or a waiting-list control. At pre-, post-, and 12-monthfollow-up, they completed depression, anxiety, positive and negative effect, and perceived stressmeasures. Results were analyzed using both intention-to-treat and completers data. The majoritywere women (67.7%), with a mean age of 35.6 years (standard deviation =9.7).Results: The analysis showed that the two intervention groups improved significantly pre- toposttreatment, compared with the control group. Furthermore, improvements were maintainedat the 12-month follow-up. Adherence and satisfaction with the program was high in bothconditions.Conclusion: The Internet-based program was effective and well accepted, with and withouthuman support, showing that ICT-based automated support may be useful. It is essential tocontinue to study other ICT strategies for providing support.