Kathleen M Griffiths|Andrew Mackinnon|Dimity A. Crisp|Helen Christensen|Kylie Bennett|Louise Farrer
The Effectiveness of an Online Support Group for Members of the Community with Depression: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Australian National University|Orygen Youth Health|University of Melbourne|Australian National University|Australian National University|Australian National University|Australian National University
internet support groups isgs popular particularly among people depression little high quality evidence concerning effectivenessthe study aimed evaluate efficacy isg reducing depressive symptoms among community members used alone combination automated internetbased psychotherapy training programvolunteers elevated psychological distress identified using communitybased screening postal survey participants randomised one four 12week conditions depression internet support group isg automated depression internet training program itp combination two itpisg control website delayed access ecouch 6 months assessments conducted baseline postintervention 6 12 monthsthere change depressive symptoms relative control 3 months exposure isg however isg alone combined isgitp group showed significantly greater reduction depressive symptoms 6 12 months followup control group itp program effective relative control postintervention 6 monthsisgs depression promising warrant empirical investigationcontrolledtrialscom isrctn65657330