RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06916429

The Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions for Common Mental Disorders

The Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions for Common Mental Disorders (EPIC): A Randomized Waitlist-controlled Superiority Trial.


Sponsor

University of Copenhagen

Enrollment

308 participants

Start Date

Apr 1, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Summary

The primary aim of "the Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions for Common mental disorders" (EPIC) randomized controlled trial is to investigate whether a significantly larger symptom improvement is observed after approximately four months of psychotherapeutic treatment in the Danish primary sector compared to in a waiting list control group. The secondary aim of the study is to identify specific client and therapy characteristics that may predict the effectiveness of the therapy or the symptom development in the waiting list control group. The main hypothesis of the EPIC trial is: 1\) Four and a half months after randomization, we will find a significantly lower level of symptoms on the primary outcome measure (PHQ-ADS) among clients who receive psychotherapy, compared to clients in the waiting list control group. In addition, we hypothesize to find significantly better outcomes in the psychotherapy group on all secondary outcome measures, four and a half months after randomization. Researchers will compare: * Psychotherapy starting within 14 days after the randomization date with * Placement on a waiting list for psychotherapy with treatment starting approximately four and a half months after the randomization date to investigate whether a larger symptom improvement is observed in the group receiving psychotherapy compared to the waiting list control group. Participants will: * Be referred by their general practitioner (GP) for publicly subsidized psychotherapy treatment in the primary care sector in Denmark, based on one of 11 referral reasons. * Complete the baseline questionnaire containing background information, the primary and secondary outcome measures, and predictor questionnaires, and subsequently be randomized to either psychotherapy beginning within two weeks or a waiting list control group. * Receive a brief symptom questionnaire (the PHQ-ADS) every other week after the randomization date via an SMS-based solution provided by REDCap. * Complete the primary and secondary outcome measures approximately four and a half, eight and a half, and 16 and a half months after the randomization date.


Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is evaluating the real-world effectiveness of psychological therapies (such as cognitive behavioral therapy) for common mental health conditions within Denmark's primary care sector. Researchers want to understand which approaches work best across different conditions. **You may be eligible if...** - You are a client seeking psychological care in the Danish primary care system for one of the eleven covered mental health conditions - You read and speak Danish well enough to complete questionnaires - You agree to being randomly assigned to a treatment condition **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You are deemed unfit for participation or in urgent need of immediate psychological or medical help by your therapist Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

OTHERPsychotherapeutic treatment

The psychotherapeutic treatment will reflect the therapy practices that characterize the Danish primary sector. Treatment: Clients are referred by their GP to receive up to 12 individual psychotherapy sessions, typically of 50-60 minutes' duration. For clients with depression and anxiety as referral reason, it is possible to get a supplementary referral by the GP ensuring 12 more sessions, totaling 24 sessions of therapy. Procedure: Due to the Danish primary sector having relative freedom in method of choice, the psychologist carries out the psychotherapy according to the treatment principles they consider the most relevant, without clauses regarding specific models of therapy or manualization. The therapists register the therapeutic approaches and interventions used in each course of therapy on The Multitheoretical List of Therapeutic Interventions (MULTI-30)at the end of each treatment.

OTHERWaiting List for Psychotherapeutic Treatment

Treatment: During the waiting list period, clients will not receive any psychotherapeutic treatment for their mental health issues in the Danish primary sector. However, their general practitioner may refer them to appropriate psychiatric treatment if their mental condition worsens and requires immediate treatment. Procedure: Clients in the waiting list group will fill in questionnaires on their symptom development during the waiting period. They will complete the same set of predictor and outcome questionnaires as the psychotherapy group.


Locations(1)

University of Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Central Region, Denmark

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NCT06916429