The effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention to reduce suicidal thoughts: A randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suicide, attempted suicide and suicidal thoughts are major public health problems worldwide. Effective face-to-face treatments are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Problem Solving Treatme...

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Main Authors: Kerkhof Ad JFM, van Straten Annemieke, van Spijker Bregje AJ
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2010-03-01
Series:Trials
Online Access:http://www.trialsjournal.com/content/11/1/25
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spelling doaj-e232cb70b3244fad8db550575efba4702020-11-24T21:39:34ZengBMCTrials1745-62152010-03-011112510.1186/1745-6215-11-25The effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention to reduce suicidal thoughts: A randomized controlled trialKerkhof Ad JFMvan Straten Annemiekevan Spijker Bregje AJ<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suicide, attempted suicide and suicidal thoughts are major public health problems worldwide. Effective face-to-face treatments are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Problem Solving Treatment (PST). However, about two-thirds of persons who die by suicide have not been in contact with mental health care services in the preceding year, and many have never been treated. Furthermore, many patients do not disclose their suicidal thoughts to their care provider. This may be out of shame, due to fear of stigma or due to lack of trust in (mental) health care. Since many suicidal individuals seek information online, the internet provides an opportunity to reach suicidal individuals who would not be contacted otherwise. By providing a self-help intervention online, persons can anonymously learn to gain control over their suicidal thoughts. There is convincing evidence that self-help is effective for a number of mental disorders. In this study the effectiveness for suicidal thoughts is examined.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>In this study, a recently developed self-help intervention will be evaluated in a Randomized Controlled Trial. The intervention is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is aimed at subjects who experience mild to moderate suicidal thoughts. This is defined as a score between 1 and 26 on the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSS). Higher and lower scores are excluded. In addition, severely depressed subjects are excluded. In total, 260 subjects will be randomly allocated to the intervention-condition (N = 130) or to the information-control condition (N = 130). Self-report questionnaires will be filled out at baseline, 6 weeks after baseline and 18 weeks after baseline. Primary outcome measure is the reduction in frequency and intensity of suicidal thoughts. Secondary outcome measures are the reduction of hopelessness, anxiety and depression, sleeplessness, worry and quality of life measures.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study is the first to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention for suicidal thoughts. Several limitations and strengths of the design are discussed.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Netherlands Trial Register, NTR1689</p> http://www.trialsjournal.com/content/11/1/25
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Kerkhof Ad JFM
van Straten Annemieke
van Spijker Bregje AJ
spellingShingle Kerkhof Ad JFM
van Straten Annemieke
van Spijker Bregje AJ
The effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention to reduce suicidal thoughts: A randomized controlled trial
Trials
author_facet Kerkhof Ad JFM
van Straten Annemieke
van Spijker Bregje AJ
author_sort Kerkhof Ad JFM
title The effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention to reduce suicidal thoughts: A randomized controlled trial
title_short The effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention to reduce suicidal thoughts: A randomized controlled trial
title_full The effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention to reduce suicidal thoughts: A randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr The effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention to reduce suicidal thoughts: A randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed The effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention to reduce suicidal thoughts: A randomized controlled trial
title_sort effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention to reduce suicidal thoughts: a randomized controlled trial
publisher BMC
series Trials
issn 1745-6215
publishDate 2010-03-01
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suicide, attempted suicide and suicidal thoughts are major public health problems worldwide. Effective face-to-face treatments are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Problem Solving Treatment (PST). However, about two-thirds of persons who die by suicide have not been in contact with mental health care services in the preceding year, and many have never been treated. Furthermore, many patients do not disclose their suicidal thoughts to their care provider. This may be out of shame, due to fear of stigma or due to lack of trust in (mental) health care. Since many suicidal individuals seek information online, the internet provides an opportunity to reach suicidal individuals who would not be contacted otherwise. By providing a self-help intervention online, persons can anonymously learn to gain control over their suicidal thoughts. There is convincing evidence that self-help is effective for a number of mental disorders. In this study the effectiveness for suicidal thoughts is examined.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>In this study, a recently developed self-help intervention will be evaluated in a Randomized Controlled Trial. The intervention is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is aimed at subjects who experience mild to moderate suicidal thoughts. This is defined as a score between 1 and 26 on the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSS). Higher and lower scores are excluded. In addition, severely depressed subjects are excluded. In total, 260 subjects will be randomly allocated to the intervention-condition (N = 130) or to the information-control condition (N = 130). Self-report questionnaires will be filled out at baseline, 6 weeks after baseline and 18 weeks after baseline. Primary outcome measure is the reduction in frequency and intensity of suicidal thoughts. Secondary outcome measures are the reduction of hopelessness, anxiety and depression, sleeplessness, worry and quality of life measures.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study is the first to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention for suicidal thoughts. Several limitations and strengths of the design are discussed.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Netherlands Trial Register, NTR1689</p>
url http://www.trialsjournal.com/content/11/1/25
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