DISCOVER Trial: Automated Feedback for Internet-Based Depression Screening
Background
Many people with depression go undiagnosed and untreated despite effective treatments being available. We wanted to see if providing automated feedback after internet-based depression screening could help reach and provide evidence-based care for these individuals.
Methods
The DISCOVER trial was conducted in Germany and involved individuals aged 18 or older who screened positive for depression on an internet-based self-report scale. Participants were randomly assigned to receive no feedback, non-tailored feedback, or tailored feedback based on their screening results. The primary outcome was the change in depression severity 6 months after the assignment.
Findings
After 6 months, depression severity decreased similarly in all three groups, and there were no significant differences in the number of participants seeking help for depression or starting treatment. Negative effects were reported by less than 1% of the participants.
Interpretation
Automated feedback following internet-based depression screening did not reduce depression severity or lead to sufficient depression care in previously undiagnosed individuals.
Funding
This trial was funded by the German Research Foundation.
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