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Sit HF, Li G, Chen W, Sou EKL, Wong M, Burchert S, Hong IW, Sit HY, Lam AIF, Hall BJ. A protocol for a type 1 effectiveness-implementation randomized controlled trial of the WHO digital mental health intervention Step-by-Step to address depression among Chinese young adults in Macao (SAR), China. Internet Interv 2022; 30:100579. [PMID: 36217366 PMCID: PMC9547191 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2022.100579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among Chinese college students, the burden of depression is considerably high, affecting up to 30 % of the population. Despite this burden, few Chinese students seek mental health treatment. In addition, depression is highly comorbid with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety. Scalable, transdiagnostic, evidence-based interventions are needed for this population. OBJECTIVE The study will evaluate the effectiveness of a World Health Organization transdiagnostic digital mental health intervention, Step-by-Step, to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms and improve well-being compared with enhanced care as usual and its implementation in a Chinese university community. METHODS A type 1 effectiveness-implementation two-arm, parallel, randomized controlled trial will be conducted. The two conditions are 1) the 5-session Step-by-Step program with minimal guidance by trained peer-helpers and 2) psychoeducational information on depression and anxiety and referrals to local community services. A total of 334 Chinese university students will be randomized with a 1:1 ratio to either of the two groups. Depression, anxiety, wellbeing, and client defined problems will be assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Endline qualitative interviews and focus group discussions will be conducted to explore SbS implementation among service users, university staff, and stakeholders. Data will be analysed based on the intent-to-treat principle. DISCUSSION Step-by-Step is an innovative approach to address common mental health problems in populations with sufficient digital literacy. It is a promising intervention that can be embedded to scale mental health services within a university setting. It is anticipated that after successful evaluation of the program and its implementation in the type 1 hybrid design RCT study, Step-by-Step can be scaled and maintained as a low-intensity treatment in universities, and potentially extended to other populations within the Chinese community. TRIAL REGISTRATION ChiCTR2100050214.
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Key Words
- AE, adverse event
- Behavioral activation
- CONSORT, Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials
- CSQ, Client Satisfaction Questionnaire
- College students
- DASS-21, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale – 21 items
- Depression
- Digital intervention
- ECAU, enhanced care as usual
- GAD-7, Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- ITT, intention-to-treat
- Implementation
- PCC, Psychological Counselling Center
- PCL, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5
- PHQ, Patient Health Questionnaire
- PSYCHLOPS, Psychological Outcomes Profile Instrument
- RCT, randomized controlled trial
- RE-AIM, Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance
- Randomized controlled trial
- SAE, serious adverse event
- SPIRIT, Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials
- SbS, Step-by-Step
- WHO, World Health Organization
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Fong Sit
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong (SAR), People's Republic of China
| | - Gen Li
- Center for Global Health Equity, New York University (Shanghai), Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Chen
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China,Sun Yat-sen Centre for Migrant Health Policy, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Elvo Kuai Long Sou
- Student Affairs Office, University of Macau, Macao (SAR), People's Republic of China
| | - Mek Wong
- Student Affairs Office, University of Macau, Macao (SAR), People's Republic of China
| | - Sebastian Burchert
- Department of Education and Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin (FUB), Germany
| | - Ieng Wai Hong
- Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau, Macao (SAR), People's Republic of China
| | - Ho Yi Sit
- Shiu Pong College, University of Macau, Macao (SAR), People's Republic of China
| | - Agnes Iok Fong Lam
- Centre for Macau Studies, University of Macau, Macao (SAR), People's Republic of China
| | - Brian J. Hall
- Center for Global Health Equity, New York University (Shanghai), Shanghai, People's Republic of China,Corresponding author at: Center for Global Health Equity, New York University Shanghai, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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