Clinical effectiveness of online computerisedcognitive–behavioural therapy without support for depression in primarycare: randomised trial

BackgroundComputerised cognitive–behavioural therapy (CCBT) might offer a solutionto the current undertreatment of depression.AimsTo determine the clinical effectiveness of online, unsupported CCBT fordepression in primary care.MethodThree hundred and three people with depression were randomly allocated toone of three groups: Colour Your Life; treatment as usual (TAU) by ageneral practitioner; or Colour Your Life and TAU combined. Colour YourLife is an online, multimedia, interactive CCBT programme. No assistancewas offered. We had a 6-month follow-up period.ResultsNo significant differences in outcome between the three interventionswere found in the intention-to-treat and per protocol analyses.ConclusionsOnline, unsupported CCBT did not outperform usual care, and thecombination of both did not have additional effects. Decrease indepressive symptoms in people with moderate to severe depression wasmoderate in all three interventions. Online CCBT without support is notbeneficial for all individuals with depression.