On-line: Web-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Diabetic Adults with Minor to Moderately Severe Depression. A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Depression is common among people with diabetes, negatively affecting quality of life, treatment adherence and diabetes outcomes. For diabetes patients access to mental health services is limited and internet counseling is a potentailly effective way to provide psychosocial care to large groups of patients at low costs. In this study we aim to deliver a moderated web-based 12-weeks program to adults with minor to moderately severe depression, and test its efficacy and appreciation. The program is based on the succesful program Coping with Depression (‘In de put, uit de put’), that will be tailored to the needs of persons living with diabetes. The program is offered on an individual basis, with a weekly moderated group chat (forum). We propose a RCT in 180 patients (90/90), with measurements at baseline, 3 and 6 months after completion of the program. Primary outcomes are depressive symptoms and diabetes-related distress. Secondary outcomes are satisfaction with the program, perceived health status, self-care, glycaemic control, days in bed/absence from work, and mental health care consumption. Questionnaires are administered via the internet. Patients in the control condition receive care-as-usual, supplemented with minimal depression education. We hypothesize that the on-line intervention will prove to be significantly more effective in improving mood and reducing diabetes-related distress in diabetes patients with minor to moderately severe depression compared to the control condition, both at 3 and 6 month follow-up.

The on-line intervention will prove to be significantly more effective in improving mood and reducing diabetes-related distress in diabetes patients with minor to moderately severe depression compared to the control condition (CAU, supplementend with information on depression) both at 3 and 6 month follow-up.

A moderated web-based 12-weeks program to adults with minor to moderately severe depression. The program is based on the succesful program Coping with Depression (‘In de put, uit de put’), that will be tailored to the needs of persons living with diabetes.