%0 Journal Article %1 roepke2015randomized %A Roepke, Ann Marie %A Jaffee, Sara R. %A Riffle, Olivia M. %A McGonigal, Jane %A Broome, Rose %A Maxwell, Bez %D 2015 %J Games for Health Journal %K depression gamification gaming health mentalhealth web webapp %N 3 %P 235-246 %T Randomized Controlled Trial of SuperBetter, a Smartphone-Based/Internet-Based Self-Help Tool to Reduce Depressive Symptoms %U http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/g4h.2014.0046 %V 4 %X Objective: Technological advances have sparked the development of computer- and smartphone-based self-help programs for depressed people, but these programs' efficacy is uncertain. This randomized controlled trial evaluated an intervention called SuperBetter (SB), which is accessed via smartphone and/or the SB Web site. Materials and Methods: Online, we recruited 283 adult iPhone® (Apple, Cupertino, CA) users with significant depression symptoms according to the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression questionnaire (CES-D). They were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) a version of SB using cognitive-behavioral therapy and positive psychotherapy strategies to target depression (CBT-PPT SB); (b) a general SB version focused on self-esteem and acceptance (General SB); or (c) a waiting list control group (WL). The two SB groups were instructed to use SB for 10 minutes daily for 1 month. All participants completed psychological distress and well-being measures online every 2 weeks through follow-up. An intent-to-treat analysis was conducted using hierarchical linear modeling. Results: As hypothesized, SB participants achieved greater reductions in CES-D scores than WL participants by posttest (Cohen's d=0.67) and by follow-up (d=1.05). Contrary to prediction, CBT-PPT SB did not perform better than General SB; both versions of SB were more effective than the WL control. Differences between SB versions favored General SB but were not statistically significant. Conclusions: These large effect sizes should be interpreted cautiously in light of high attrition rates and the motivated, self-selected sample. Nonetheless, smartphone-based/Internet-based self-help may play an important role in treating depression.

@article{roepke2015randomized, abstract = {Objective: Technological advances have sparked the development of computer- and smartphone-based self-help programs for depressed people, but these programs' efficacy is uncertain. This randomized controlled trial evaluated an intervention called SuperBetter (SB), which is accessed via smartphone and/or the SB Web site. Materials and Methods: Online, we recruited 283 adult iPhone® (Apple, Cupertino, CA) users with significant depression symptoms according to the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression questionnaire (CES-D). They were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) a version of SB using cognitive-behavioral therapy and positive psychotherapy strategies to target depression (CBT-PPT SB); (b) a general SB version focused on self-esteem and acceptance (General SB); or (c) a waiting list control group (WL). The two SB groups were instructed to use SB for 10 minutes daily for 1 month. All participants completed psychological distress and well-being measures online every 2 weeks through follow-up. An intent-to-treat analysis was conducted using hierarchical linear modeling. Results: As hypothesized, SB participants achieved greater reductions in CES-D scores than WL participants by posttest (Cohen's d=0.67) and by follow-up (d=1.05). Contrary to prediction, CBT-PPT SB did not perform better than General SB; both versions of SB were more effective than the WL control. Differences between SB versions favored General SB but were not statistically significant. Conclusions: These large effect sizes should be interpreted cautiously in light of high attrition rates and the motivated, self-selected sample. Nonetheless, smartphone-based/Internet-based self-help may play an important role in treating depression.}, added-at = {2016-06-01T22:44:46.000+0200}, author = {Roepke, Ann Marie and Jaffee, Sara R. and Riffle, Olivia M. and McGonigal, Jane and Broome, Rose and Maxwell, Bez}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/23966313a32919b80cf0e3a4f730045d4/shelley.adams}, day = 7, interhash = {ec7fc2f915cc154589d872d5e6641174}, intrahash = {3966313a32919b80cf0e3a4f730045d4}, journal = {Games for Health Journal}, keywords = {depression gamification gaming health mentalhealth web webapp}, month = apr, number = 3, pages = {235-246}, timestamp = {2016-06-01T22:44:46.000+0200}, title = {Randomized Controlled Trial of SuperBetter, a Smartphone-Based/Internet-Based Self-Help Tool to Reduce Depressive Symptoms}, url = {http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/g4h.2014.0046}, volume = 4, year = 2015 }