Blended (online + in-person) versus face-to-face transdiagnostic group therapy for anxiety and depression
Efficacy of a Group Treatment Based on Transdiagnostic Perspective for Emotional Disorders and Applied in Blended Format: a Randomized Controlled Trial.
This trial will try whether a blended program (online modules plus group sessions) helps adults with anxiety or depression as much as traditional face-to-face group therapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 144 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Universitat Jaume I Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Castellon, Castellón) |
| Trial ID | NCT05569018 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial comparing a blended group transversal protocol (online content combined with group sessions) to a fully face-to-face group transversal protocol for emotional disorders. Adults meeting DSM-5 criteria for anxiety or depressive disorders will be randomly assigned to one of the two interventions and followed through treatment. Primary outcomes include changes in clinical symptom measures, along with retention, dropout, adherence, and acceptability; the study will also examine mediators and moderators of treatment effect. The interventions use a transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral approach delivered in group format to improve scalability and cost-effectiveness.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) with a DSM-5 emotional disorder ( anxiety or depressive disorders), who understand Spanish, have Internet access and an email address, and can commit to group sessions without concurrent psychological treatment or major medication increases are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with severe mental disorders (psychosis, bipolar disorder), substance dependence, high suicide risk, serious medical conditions preventing participation, lack of Spanish fluency, or no internet access are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a more convenient and cost-effective therapy option that works as well as standard in-person group CBT for emotional disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Transdiagnostic CBT, group CBT, and blended CBT have each shown positive results in prior research, but combining a transdiagnostic protocol with a blended group format is novel and has not been previously tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Being 18 years old or more. * DSM-5 (APA, 1013) diagnostic criteria for emotional disorder (panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, non-specified anxiety disorder, non-specified depressive disorder). * Good understanding of Spanish. * Access to the Internet and email address. * Informed consent to participate. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of a severe mental disorder (psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, substance and/or alcohol dependence). * High risk of suicide. * Having a serious medical illness or other condition that prevents treatment from being carried out. * Receiving another psychological treatment during the study period. * Changes and/or increases in pharmacological treatment during the study period (a decrease is accepted).
Where this trial is running
Castellon, Castellón
- Jaume I University, Castellón, Spain — Castellon, Castellón, Spain (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Amanda Díaz-García, Dr. — University of Zaragoza, Teruel Campus
- Study coordinator: Juana María Bretón-López, Dr.
- Email: breton@uji.es
- Phone: +34 964387642
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.