PRotect after depression: a randomised pilot trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
PRotect after depression: a randomised pilot trial of a novel low-intensity intervention
IRAS ID
166108
Contact name
Stephen Pilling
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN17371456
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2016/02/05 , UCL Data Protection Registration
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 0 days
Research summary
Does the ‘PRotect’ intervention help people to stay well after recovering from depression? \n\nDepression is a common and debilitating mental health problem. During an episode, people may suffer from low or irritable mood, loss of interest in normal activities, diminished concentration, and feelings of worthlessness and guilt. Even after recovery, people who have been depressed are at risk of experiencing a relapse. A recent systematic review concluded that psychological interventions delivered when a person is well can reduce this risk (Clarke et al, 2015). \n\nIn the UK, a large number of psychological interventions are delivered through IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) services. There is a move within these services to expand and improve relapse prevention work following treatment of depression, but this is difficult given that existing interventions are too intensive to be routinely delivered. In view of this, we have designed the ‘PRotect’ after depression intervention. It is centred on a neurocognitive model of depressive relapse, and brings together evidence based relapse prevention strategies with behaviour change theory into a ’guided self-help’ format commonly used in IAPT. \n\nThis trial will be the first to test the ‘PRotect’ intervention. We will recruit participants who have received treatment for depression within IAPT services in Camden and Islington, and then randomly assign them to either receive the new intervention, or to be monitored. We will assess all participants after 3 and 6 months, to see if the intervention seems to have an effect on health and psychosocial functioning. We will also interview patients and clinicians about their experience of the intervention to get an understanding of whether it was useful and how it could be improved. If effective, this intervention could be routinely offered after acute treatment, and may improve wellbeing, prevent further suffering, and prevent re-presentations to healthcare services. \n
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0652
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion