NCT07167849 Study on a Digital Ultra-Brief Intervention During Wait Times for Psychotherapy
| NCT ID | NCT07167849 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Bern |
| Condition | Depressive Disorders |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 312 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-09-22 |
| Primary Completion | 2027-12 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 312 participants in total. It began in 2025-09-22 with a primary completion date of 2027-12.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The OPTIBRIEF study investigates different versions of a digital ultra-brief intervention (UKADO - a German acronym for ultra-brief intervention against anxiety and depression online) during the waiting period for psychotherapy. Using a factorial trial design, the components 1) intervention content, 2) human support, and 3) expectation-fostering elements will be examined. After completing initial questionnaires and participating in a diagnostic interview, participants are randomly assigned to one of eight groups and work through a specific version of UKADO. The program can be completed in a session of approximately 60 minutes, after which the exercises should continue to be used. Participants then complete another set of questionnaires at specific time points (after 2 weeks, 5 weeks, 9 weeks, and 24 weeks). A selection of participants also takes part in another telephone appointment to assess experiences with UKADO. With the OPTIBRIEF study, the investigators aim to determine which version of the program is most suitable for individuals waiting for a psychotherapy slot. To this end, the investigators examine the effects on anxiety and depression symptom severity, as well as aspects such as participants' experiences with the program.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Read the patient information and return signed written informed consent sheet * Currently waiting for outpatient psychotherapy (self-report at baseline and assessed per telephone) * Age ≥ 18 (self-report at baseline and assessed per telephone) * Scoring equal to or above 10 on the PHQ-ADS (self-report at baseline) * Fulfilling diagnostic criteria of one or more of the following disorders assessed with the Diagnostic Short-Interview for Mental Disorders (Mini-DIPS, DSM-5 version; Margraf et al., 2017): Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder * Sufficient German skills (self-report at baseline) * Access to the internet (self-report at baseline) Exclusion Criteria: * Acute suicidality assessed during the telephone interview (Mini-DIPS) * Currently taking part in psychotherapy or a scheduled start of psychotherapy prior to the assessment 14 days post-randomization (assessed via self-report and during the DIPS telephone interview)
Contact & Investigator
Laura Luisa Bielinski, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherpay, University of Bern
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07167849 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Depressive Disorders. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07167849 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07167849 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at laura.bielinski@unibe.ch for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07167849 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Bern, Switzerland.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07167849 clinical trial?
NCT07167849 is sponsored by University of Bern. The principal investigator is Laura Luisa Bielinski, PhD at Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherpay, University of Bern. The trial plans to enroll 312 participants.