Feasibility and Acceptability of an E-learning Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Course

Sponsor
University of Windsor
Study ID
NCT07088939
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Depression - Major Depressive Disorder
  • Mood Disorders
  • Stress

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • dialectical behavior therapy — BEHAVIORAL
    This internet-delivered dialectical behavior therapy (iDBT) intervention consists of an e-learning course with 4 modules based on the 4 areas of skills training in dialectical behavior therapy: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Participants can work through the modules at a self-guided pace to learn more than 30 specific skills using psychoeducational materials. The intervention incorporates psychoeducational elements of skills training with introductory videos, interactive quizzes, practice and homework suggestions, as well as quotes and videos from individuals with lived experience. In preliminary testing, it was estimated to take approximately 8-10 hours to complete all material.

Study Details

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive, third-wave psychological intervention designed for patients with complex and severe behavioral, emotional, and interpersonal dysfunction. DBT has since been adapted to shorter, briefer, "skills training" formats, which have been effective for a number of mild-to-moderate mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. Moreover, internet-delivered formats of DBT (iDBT) have similarly started to build support for their effectiveness, although there are fewer studies on digital formats. One study found that over 12 weeks, iDBT was deemed acceptable (e.g., 50% of participants were still active after 4 weeks) and there were improvements in multiple symptom domains, such as depression, anxiety, suicidality, functional disability, as well as alcohol and substance dependence. In the current study, the investigators will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a new iDBT intervention, packaged as an online e-learning skills course, with adult participants. The study is a pilot trial as iDBT has never been tested in this format through formal research. Thus, this pilot study aims to examine whether this course is usable, practical, and potentially useful to others in the future. The investigators will recruit up to 40 individuals with mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety for an 8-week study. Following a phone screen to determine eligibility, participants will complete a baseline session where they will provide consent, complete a brief interview and questionnaires, and register for the e-learning skills course. Over the course of 8 weeks, participants will be exposed to material adapted from a DBT manual in a self-guided manner. Participants will complete follow-up assessments at 4 and 8 weeks.

Key Dates

First listed
Jul 28, 2025
Start date
Jul 20, 2025
Status verified
Apr 2026
Primary completion
Jul 31, 2026
Completion
Aug 1, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
40 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Internet-delivered, self-guided dialectical behavior therapy
    Treatment arm

Primary Outcome Measure

Treatment Acceptability and Adherence Scale [ Time Frame: 4 weeks and 8 weeks ]

Central Contacts

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