Expectancy Effects in Self-Help Depression Treatment: First Evidence that the Rationale Given for an Online Study Impacts the Outcome
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Expectancy Effects in Self-Help Depression Treatment: First Evidence that the Rationale Given for an Online Study Impacts the Outcome. / Cludius, Barbara; Schröder, Johanna; Moritz, Steffen.
In: BEHAV COGN PSYCHOTH, Vol. 46, No. 2, 03.2018, p. 195-208.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Expectancy Effects in Self-Help Depression Treatment: First Evidence that the Rationale Given for an Online Study Impacts the Outcome
AU - Cludius, Barbara
AU - Schröder, Johanna
AU - Moritz, Steffen
PY - 2018/3
Y1 - 2018/3
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Adult
KW - Cognition
KW - Depression
KW - Depressive Disorder, Major
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Internet
KW - Male
KW - Patient Compliance
KW - Self Care
KW - Treatment Outcome
KW - Journal Article
KW - Randomized Controlled Trial
U2 - 10.1017/S1352465817000571
DO - 10.1017/S1352465817000571
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 29081332
VL - 46
SP - 195
EP - 208
JO - BEHAV COGN PSYCHOTH
JF - BEHAV COGN PSYCHOTH
SN - 1352-4658
IS - 2
ER -