Computerised Behavioural Activation for young people with Depression
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Computerised Behavioural Activation Programme for the treatment of depression in young people: Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
270172
Contact name
Lucy Tindall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
Approximately 20% of adolescents will have had at least one depressive episode by the age of 18 making depression one of the leading causes of illness and disability in young people. Although receiving effective treatment is important, as few as 35% of young people seek help, with treatment-related issues (e.g. stigma, negative attitudes about help-seeking, accessibility, reluctance to engage one-to-one with a therapist, etc) outlined as reasons for this. Computerised therapies, which have increased availability and accessibility, reduced stigma and can be delivered in a format attractive to many young people may avoid some of these barriers and provide a more effective treatment option for young people. \n\nBehavioural Activation (BA) – a type of talking therapy focused on increasing liked activities has demonstrated effectiveness in treating depression in adults and, owing to this, is an evidence-based treatment for depression within NICE (2009) guidelines. Despite this, less research has examined its use with young people. \n\nTo date no computerised versions of BA have been developed to treat young people with depression, therefore we have developed BALM (Behavioural Activation for Low Mood). This online BA programme, designed for use with young people experiencing mild to moderate low mood or depression, was based upon the findings of a systematic review and a series of qualitative interviews and focus groups with young people and healthcare professionals. \n\nThis non-randomised feasibility study will assess the acceptability of BALM and investigate whether a larger definitive study of the programme’s clinical and cost-effectiveness is possible.\n
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0426
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion