Mood management effects of brief unsupported internet interventions

Abstract

BackgroundMost users of unsupported Internet interventions visit that site only once, therefore there is a need to create interventions that can be offered as a single brief interaction with the user.ObjectiveThe main goal of this study was to compare the effect of a one-session unsupported Internet intervention on participants' clinical symptoms (depressive and anxiety symptoms) and related variables (mood, confidence and motivation).MethodA total of 765 adults residing in the United States took part in a randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to one of five brief plain text interventions lasting 5–10 min. The interventions designed to address depressive symptoms were: thoughts (increasing helpful thoughts), activities (increasing activity level), sleep hygiene, assertiveness (increasing assertiveness awareness), Own Methods (utilizing methods that were previously successful). They were followed-up one week after consenting.ResultsA main effect of time was observed for both depression (F(1, 563) = 234.70, p < 0.001) and anxiety (F(1, 551) = 170.27, p < 0.001). In all cases, regardless of assigned condition and Major Depressive Episode status, mean scores on both positive outcomes (mood, confidence and motivation) and negative outcome scores (depression and anxiety) improved over time.ConclusionsBrief unsupported Internet interventions can improve depressive symptoms at one-week follow-up. Further outcome data and research implications will be discussed.

Microinterventions produce immediate but not lasting benefits in mood and distress

“…Aside from attrition, our lack of positive results in terms of lasting effects may also suggest that microinterventions (at least those tested) may lack the therapeutic potency to bring about lasting change. This finding would be consistent with previous literature ( Bunge et al, 2016 ). It is possible that due to their brevity, microinterventions do not sufficiently activate the underlying psychological mechanisms that are theorized to produce meaningful change in mood as thoroughly as more in-depth interventions, digital or otherwise.…”

“…The current study contributes to the emerging literature on microinterventions ( Ahmedani et al, 2015 , Ayers et al, 2015 , Bunge et al, 2016 , Lokman et al, 2017 ), and offers encouraging data to support continued research on such interventions. Internet microinterventions may offer quick, effective means of improving mood and reducing distress.…”

“…Indeed, the brevity of microinterventions is likely more closely in line with the expectations of consumers of digital information, who may routinely interact with fast-paced, user-driven, interactive web content, and for whom web experience may be associated with speed, rather than delay. The very few early trials of brief internet interventions have shown promise ( Ayers et al, 2015 , Bunge et al, 2016 , Lokman et al, 2017 ), however, more research is needed to better understand the efficacy and the outcomes of microinterventions.…”

Using Mechanical Turk to recruit participants for internet intervention research: experience from recruitment for four trials targeting hazardous alcohol consumption

“…The MTurk portal has already been used for many online research studies [ 4 – 9 ]. However, few of these studies have employed longitudinal designs [ 10 ] and there appears to be limited research employing MTurk participants in intervention trials [ 6 , 11 ].…”

Complaint-Directed Mini-Interventions for Depressive Complaints: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Unguided Web-Based Self-Help Interventions

“…Currently, participants of the CDMIs are advised to spend 2 to 3 hours a week for a period of at least 4 weeks. However, a recent study of Bunge et al [62] showed that even a brief, unsupported Internet intervention of 5 to 10 minutes improved depression scores at 1-week follow-up. Finally, future research should focus on gaining insights into the most optimal strategies for reaching and engaging low SES populations in (preventive) interventions targeting psychological complaints, such as the CDMIs.…”