Diabetergestemd (Netherlands)

Description:

The diabetergestemd website is based on the manual-based, self-help "Coping with Depression" course, adapted for users with diabetes.  The site provides cognitive behaviour therapy designed to fit the needs of diabetes patients, and includes topics such as diabetes self management, coping with test results and communicating with health professionals, and coping with health related worries and uncertainties.  The site provides information, practice examples, homework exercises and quizzes.  Users receive weekly e-mails from a coach providing feedback on homework assignments, and can also access an Internet-based group forum to discuss issues and receive support.

Service URL:

http://www.diabetergestemd.nl/

Agency Responsible:

VU University Medical Centre.

Details

Format:

Website.

Intervention Type:

Psychological – CBT.

Course Length:

Long (more than 5 modules). Comprises 8 consecutive weekly lessons

Support Option:

Clinical support. Provided through weekly emails from coaches (psychologists and residents in clinical psychology)

Target Audience

Primary Category:

Diabetes.

Target Audience:

Adult. Specifically those diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes

Language:

Dutch.

Access

Fee:

Free.

Access:

Open: With registration.

Contact Details:

info@diabetergestemd.nl

Research evidence

Research Trials:

1

Research RCTs:

1

Outcome Summary:

The effectiveness of diabetergestemd has been tested in one randomised controlled trial (RCT) which found that compared to a wait-list control, use of the site significantly reduced depressive symptoms and diabetes-specific emotional distress. For depressive symptoms at 1-month follow up, a small effect size of d = 0.29 was found by intention to treat analysis, while a moderate-large effect size of d = 0.70 was found by per-protocol analysis (using subjects who completed the full eight lessons). Use of the site had no beneficial effect on glycaemic control. Furthermore, secondary analyses on these data indicated that a diagnosis of a major-depressive disorder or anxiety disorder or reporting high diabetes-specific emotional distress did not significantly modify the effect of the program. Therefore, results of this RCT provide some evidence that diabetergestemd is effective in reducing depressive symptoms in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and is effective in reducing diabetes specific emotional distress, among individuals experiencing both severe and less severe symptoms.

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Recommended rating, reviewer 2:

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Research paper citations

Evaluation evidence studies:
van Bastelaar, K., Pouwer, F., Cuijpers, P., Riper, H., Twisk, J. & Snoek, F. J. (2012) Is a severe clinical profile an effect modifier in a Web-based depression treatment for adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes? Secondary analyses from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 14(1): e2.

van Bastelaar, K., Pouwer, F., Cuijpers, P., Riper, H., & Snoek, F. J. (2011). Web-based depression treatment for type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients. Diabetes Care, 34(2), 320-325.

Additional References:
van Bastelaar, K., Cuijpers, P., Pouwer, F., Riper, H., & Snoek, F. J. (2011). Development and reach of a web-based cognitive behavioural therapy programme to reduce symptoms of depression and diabetes-specific distress. Patient Education and Counselling, Jul: 84(1): 49-55.

van Bastelaar, K. M. P., Pouwer, F., Cuijpers, P., Twisk, J. W. R. & Snoek F. J. (2008). Web-based cognitive behavioural therapy (W-CBT) for diabetes patients with co-morbid depression: design of a randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry, 8, 9.