Expectancy Effects in Self-Help Depression Treatment: First Evidence that the Rationale Given for an Online Study Impacts the Outcome
Beteiligte Einrichtungen
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Positive expectations play an important role in effective treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD). The way a study is contextualized modulates prognostic expectations.
AIMS: The aim of the study was to test the effect of differing information regarding the rationale given to participants for a study on depression symptoms.
METHOD: Sixty-nine participants with depression symptoms participated in an online study with two conditions. In random order, half were invited to participate in a treatment study and half in a cognition study. After completing the baseline assessment, participants received one of two self-help manuals. Post-assessment was conducted six weeks later.
RESULTS: Only about 64% of the participants were reached for post-assessment, and adherence was low. However, our results offer the first evidence that stronger improvements emerged in participants who were told the trial was a treatment study compared with a cognition study.
CONCLUSION: Information given about the rationale for a study could influence symptom reduction in online treatments for patients with MDD. Future (online) studies should attempt to replicate these results.
Bibliografische Daten
Originalsprache | Englisch |
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ISSN | 1352-4658 |
DOIs | |
Status | Veröffentlicht - 03.2018 |
PubMed | 29081332 |
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