Personalised Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy With Human Support for Women With Moderate Depression and Its Biological Impact

What This Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a specially developed internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT program called the 3D programme, designed specifically for women with moderate depressive symptoms. The study aims to compare the effects of this blended intervention with brief psychoeducational videos when added to usual treatment. It also investigates how biological factors like hormone and metabolic changes may influence treatment response, seeking to identify markers that predict who benefits most. The 3D programme lasts 10 weeks and includes ten weekly online self-guided modules about depression and womens health topics such as menstrual mood changes, body image, and stress. Participants also have six individual video sessions with a clinical psychologist who personalizes the therapy. The comparison group receives usual care plus biweekly brief educational videos on depression causes and coping strategies. Participants will be involved in assessments at the start, immediately after the intervention 3 months, and at follow-up 6 months. These include clinical evaluations, questionnaires, and collection of biological samples like blood, saliva, urine, nails, and hair to analyze hormonal and metabolic markers. The research team will measure depression severity and other outcomes such as overall functioning, quality of life, stress, and menstruation-related distress while monitoring these biological changes to understand their relationship with treatment effects.

Evaluating a Personalised Online Program With Human Support for Women With Depression and Its Impact on Mental Health and Biological Changes