Online computer or therapist-guided cognitive behavioral therapy in university students with anxiety and/or depression: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Eirini Karyotaki,
Pim Cuijpers,
Heleen Riper,
Felix Bolinski,
Peter Vonk,
Reinout W Wiers,
S Schneider,
Anke Klein,
N E Wolters,
E J M Bol,
J Koelen,
L de Koning,
S S M Roetink,
J J van Blom,
T Pronk,
Claudia van der Heijde,
Elske Salemink,
Ronald M Rapee
Affiliations
Eirini Karyotaki
Department of Clinical Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
Pim Cuijpers
Department of Clinical Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
Heleen Riper
Department of Clinical Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
Felix Bolinski
Department of Clinical Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
Peter Vonk
Department of Research, Development and Prevention, Student Health Service, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Reinout W Wiers
Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT)-lab, Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
S Schneider
Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
Anke Klein
Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT)-lab, Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
N E Wolters
Department of Research, Development and Prevention, Student Health Service, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
E J M Bol
Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT)-lab, Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J Koelen
Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT)-lab, Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
L de Koning
Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT)-lab, Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
S S M Roetink
Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT)-lab, Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J J van Blom
Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT)-lab, Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
T Pronk
Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT)-lab, Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Claudia van der Heijde
Department of Research, Development and Prevention, Student Health Service, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Elske Salemink
Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT)-lab, Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Ronald M Rapee
Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Introduction Emerging adulthood is a phase in life that is associated with an increased risk to develop a variety of mental health disorders including anxiety and depression. However, less than 25% of university students receive professional help for their mental health reports. Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) may entail useful interventions in a format that is attractive for university students. The aim of this study protocol is to test the effectiveness of a therapist-guided versus a computer-guided transdiagnostic iCBT programme with a main focus on anxiety and depression.Methods and analysis University students with anxiety and/or depressive symptoms will be randomised to a (1) 7-week iCBT programme (excluding booster session) with therapist feedback, (2) the identical iCBT programme with computer feedback only or (3) care as usual. Participants in the care as usual condition are informed and referred to conventional care services and encouraged to seek the help they need. Primary outcome variables are self-reported levels of anxiety as measured with the General Anxiety Disorder-7 and self-reported levels of depression as measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Secondary outcomes include treatment adherence, client satisfaction, medical service use, substance use, quality of life and academic achievement. Assessments will take place at baseline (t1), midtreatment (t2), post-treatment (t3), at 6 months (t4) and 12 months (t5) postbaseline. Social anxiety and perfectionism are included as potentially important predictors of treatment outcome. Power calculations are based on a 3 (group) × 3 (measurement: pretreatment, midtreatment and post-treatment) interaction, resulting in an aimed sample of 276 participants. Data will be analysed based on intention-to-treat and per protocol samples using mixed linear models.Ethics and dissemination The current study was approved by the Medical Ethics Review Committee (METC) of the Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (number: NL64929.018.18). Results of this trial will be published in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration number NL7328.
