ADepT+ Feasibility Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development and Feasibility of Augmented Depression Therapy for Complex Depression (ADepT+): A randomised, controlled feasibility trial.
IRAS ID
337878
Contact name
Laura Warbrick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter Research and Ethics Governance Officer
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
Some people struggling with depression may also have additional difficulties managing their relationships, emotions and sense-of-self as adults. These difficulties are sometimes referred to as personality difficulties or diagnosed as a personality disorder. Together, this combination of difficulties is known as ‘complex depression’ which may be linked to difficult early life experiences, or an absence of positive early experiences.
Individuals with complex depression may seek help from their GP or their local NHS Talking Therapies (NHS-TT) service in primary care. Because NHS-TT therapists are not routinely trained to help people with complex depression, this can lead to people being seen as too ‘complex’ for these services, and those that are offered care often report not fully benefiting as it is not tailored to their specific needs. In addition, people with complex depression are often not viewed as ‘severe enough’ to access secondary mental health services. When this happens, the person is often discharged into the care of the GP and left with little or no support.
The aim of this feasibility study is to inform the design and conduct of a future definitive trial that aims to investigate a psychological therapy designed to address these symptoms. A total of 60 people will be randomly allocated to receive usual care, or usual care plus the novel intervention (ADepT+ therapy). They will complete outcome measures at intake, 8, 14 and 20 month follow-up. Views on the acceptability of the therapy will be collected from participants in terms of numerical ratings of acceptability, written feedback and through interviews.REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EM/0080
Date of REC Opinion
16 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion