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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02529358

Text Message Based Maintenance Intervention

The study presents findings from a randomized clinical trial evaluating the effects of text messages encouraging short emotion regulation exercises on the course of psychopathological symptoms after inpatient treatment for depression. In this context, the study also compares the effectiveness of standardized versus personalized text messages.

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Key information

Conditions

Mental Disorders Behavior Emotional Regulation Self-Control Social Behavior

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Schön Klinik

Bad Arolsen, Hesse, 34454, Germany

About this study

Introduction: The importance of aftercare and maintenance intervention to reduce psychopathology, prevent relapses and stabilize the effects of inpatient cognitive behavioral therapy is well proven. In order to attain a high reachability rate among the patients, simple, quick and low cost methods should be used. Modern communication technologies, such as mobile phones provide this opportunity. Therefore, the current study explores how modern communication technologies can be used as a support system in psychotherapy to realize a reduced psychopathology.

Methods: A total of 150 patients participated in a transdiagnostical 6-weeks text messaging maintenance intervention. The text messages were based on emotion regulation skills. The effectiveness of different variants of the text messages was studied in a randomized controlled trial, comparing the impact on the patient's psychopathological outcome to receiving personalized text messages versus standardized text messages.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • good knowledge of the german language
  • owning a mobile phone

Exclusion criteria

  • brain damage
  • personality disorders

Treatment and study plan

standardized text messages

Behavioral

Messages consist of relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises as well as emotion regulation strategies

Personalized text messages

Behavioral

Patients write their own messages

Standardized text messages after 10 weeks

Behavioral

Messages consist of relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises as well as emotion regulation strategies which are send to the patients 10 weeks after completing inpatient therapy

Primary outcomes

  1. Depressive Symptom load

    Time frame: 6 weeks post treatment (after intervention)

    Measurement of depressive symptom severity with Beck Depression Inventory

  2. Emotion Regulation Competence

    Time frame: 6 weeks post treatment (after intervention)

    Emotion Regulation Competence measured by SERSA

Secondary outcomes

  1. Psychopathological symptomatology

    Time frame: 10 weeks Follow-Up

    Measurement of psychopathological symptomatology with self report questionnaires

  2. Depressive Symptom load

    Time frame: 10 weeks Follow-Up

    Measurement of depressive symptom severity with Beck Depression Inventory

  3. Emotion Regulation Competence

    Time frame: 10 weeks follow up

    Emotion Regulation Competence measured by SERSA

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Other

Collaborators

  • Philipps University Marburg

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of a Transdiagnostic Text Message Based Maintenance Intervention After Inpatient Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2013
Study completion
2013
First posted
Aug 20, 2015
Registry last updated
Aug 20, 2015

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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