Evaluating a diabetes specific online CBT intervention
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pre-post intervention study to investigate the effectiveness of diabetes specific, online, therapist delivered, cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with Type 2 diabetes and with a comorbid axis I mental health disorder.
IRAS ID
252123
Contact name
Ana Catarino
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Ann Hayes Consultancy
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN86160989
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
People with diabetes are more likely to experience mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and diabetes distress compared with people who do not have diabetes. For those who live with these mental health conditions, it is much harder to feel engaged with diabetes related self-care. This can lead to an increase in the risk of developing the long-term complications associated with diabetes such as damage to eyes, kidneys, nerves and the heart. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychological therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating depression and anxiety. However, many people with diabetes are unable to access the psychological therapy services that they need, because of lack of resources. Recently there has been a focus on the potential of technology to bridge this gap, namely through evidence-based online psychological therapies. Online CBT has been shown to be effective, but it is likely that people who live with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, will be better supported with an adapted psychological therapy that takes their personal experience of their physical condition into account. In this study we would like to evaluate a newly developed online CBT programme for people with Type 2 diabetes. It will be delivered over the internet, using text, by therapists who are specially trained in diabetes. We will study the effect of a course of CBT on mental health outcomes and diabetes distress, measured using questionnaires, by comparing outcome measures before and after therapy. We will benchmark the results with this online therapy against the mental health outcomes data of people living with diabetes receiving standard NHS mental health psychological therapy. We will also explore in more depth the relationship between mental health and an individual’s knowledge, skills and confidence relating to their diabetes. This will allow further development of a personalised approach to online therapy.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0033
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion