%0 Journal Article
%T Computerised cognitive¨Cbehavioural therapy for depression in adolescents: feasibility results and 4-month outcomes of a UK randomised controlled trial
%A Barry Wright
%A Dominic Tr¨¦pel
%A Elizabeth Littlewood
%A Lucy Tindall
%A Paul Abeles
%A Shehzad Ali
%A Victoria Allgar
%J -
%D 2017
%R 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012834
%X Objectives Computer-administered cognitive¨Cbehavioural therapy (CCBT) may be a promising treatment for adolescents with depression, particularly due to its increased availability and accessibility. The feasibility of delivering a randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing a CCBT program (Stressbusters) with an attention control (self-help websites) for adolescent depression was evaluated.

Design Single centre RCT feasibility study.

Setting The trial was run within community and clinical settings in York, UK.

Participants Adolescents (aged 12¨C18) with low mood/depression were assessed for eligibility, 91 of whom met the inclusion criteria and were consented and randomised to Stressbusters (n=45) or websites (n=46) using remote computerised single allocation. Those with comorbid physical illness were included but those with psychosis, active suicidality or postnatal depression were not.

Interventions An eight-session CCBT program (Stressbusters) designed for use with adolescents with low mood/depression was compared with an attention control (accessing low mood self-help websites).

Primary and secondary outcome measures Participants completed mood and quality of life measures and a service Use Questionnaire throughout completion of the trial and 4£¿months post intervention. Measures included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (primary outcome measure), Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ), Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS), the EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire (youth) (EQ-5D-Y) and Health Utility Index Mark 2 (HUI-2). Changes in self-reported measures and completion rates were assessed by treatment group.

Results From baseline to 4£¿months post intervention, BDI scores and MFQ scores decreased for the Stressbusters group but increased in the website group. Quality of life, as measured by the EQ-5D-Y, increased for both groups while costs at 4£¿months were similar to baseline. Good feasibility outcomes were found, suggesting the trial process to be feasible and acceptable for adolescents with depression.

Conclusions With modifications, a fully powered RCT is achievable to investigate a promising treatment for adolescent depression in a climate where child mental health service resources are limited.

Trial registration number [ISRCTN31219579][1].

 [1]: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN31219579
%U https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/1/e012834