Have you been depressed several times in the past?

Feeling well at the moment, but worried about a relapse?

 

Then you may be eligible to take part in a research trial evaluating two new psychological treatments designed to help people to STAY better                                                                                                                                                             


*** Please note both people with and without a history of suicidal thoughts are now welcome to participate in this trial***


What is the Purpose of the Study?

Each year in the United Kingdom a large number of people get depressed.  We are very keen to find out more about the reasons for this and how we can prevent it happening again. We are particularly interested in the ability of two treatments to help people stay well in the future (by reducing future episodes of depression), when they have experienced several episodes of depression in the past. Information about the two treatments - Cognitive Psycho-Education (CPE) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), can be found in the attached information sheet or by watching a video clip of one of the research team describing the study. What we learn from this study will be used to improve the care of patients in the future.

Interested in Taking Part? Check your eligibility below:

  • Are you between 18 and 70 years of age?
  • Have you been depressed three or more times in your life; including two episodes in the past 5 years, one of which should have been in the last two years?
  • Do you currently feel well?
  • Are you able to complete questionnaires and tasks that require fluent written and spoken English, and have no visual/hearing impairments?
If you have answered yes to all of the above then please contact us for further information on: Freephone: 0800 0836130 (free from landlines) or 01865 226468. Email us at recruiters@staying-well.org. If you would like to find our more before making a decision please watch a video clip or  view our Information Sheet

Contacting us does not mean you have to take part. You are free to withdraw at any time. All information is strictly confidential.

If you were unable to answer yes to all of the questions then unfortunately this study may not be for you. This is because we are currently carrying out research for a specific range of problems.

The research trial is not suitable for you if:

  • You are currently feeling depressed
  • You harm yourself on a regular basis to cope with your problems
  • Your main problem is an eating disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder
  • You have significant problems with drugs or alcohol
  • You have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia

If you need help with any of these issues please contact your GP.

What will happen to me if I decide to take part?

Initial Assessment: If after speaking with a member of the research team on the phone you decide to take part in the study we will arrange a first interview at a time convenient for you. This interview will last about 2.5 hours. We will ask you a standard set of questions about your mood and the suicidal thoughts you may have experienced. We will ask for background information about your past experiences, including traumatic events in the past and during childhood, any drugs or medicines you may be taking at the moment and so on. You will also be asked to complete some standard questionnaires. If after this session you are still interested in the research and the psychologist thinks the treatment is likely to be suitable for you, you will be invited to a second research assessment which will take about 1 hour. This will be arranged at a time convenient for you, and will include more questionnaires and short paper and pencil activities.

If you agree to take part in the study you must attend two initial assessments before allocation to one of two treatment groups or a wait for treatment group, and a total of five further assessments over the next 15 months. Research assessments will be audio-taped to check they are being carried out consistently and a sample will be checked for accuracy of assessments by an independent psychiatrist. You must also complete a short weekly questionnaire during the initial 8 week study treatment period.

If you are allocated to immediate treatment you will be asked to attend an initial meeting with a teacher, followed by eight weekly sessions, each of about two hours, and to complete activities between the classes at home. The class teacher will be videotaped each week to check that the treatments are being delivered effectively to everyone. If you are in the wait for treatment group you will be asked to speak to a psychologist about your role in the study. It is important that you think carefully about whether or not you are willing to make the considerable commitment of time needed for both treatment and research assessments. In total you will need to attend up to 18 times over the research period[1]. Because of this the research trial is most suitable for people who live within one hours travelling time of Oxford.

Please note that:

  • You can decide to stop any interview at any point.
  • You need not answer questions that you do not wish to.
  • Anything you tell us will be absolutely confidential.
  • Your name will be removed from the information and it will not be possible to identify anyone from our reports on the study.

1 Expenses and payments: Modest expenses are available. For each research assessment attended £5 will be given plus travel expenses. For the treatment sessions, travel expenses will be paid.

International Trial Registration: ISRCTN97185214   National Research Ethics Service Ref: 08/H0606/56