background Recent evidence indicates that individual daily life person-context interactions determine treatment-response and predict relapse in depression. Electronic momentary assessment technology (the PsyMate) to monitor these daily life person-context interactions during treatment may enrich passive antidepressant pharmacotherapy with an active resource-mobilising therapeutic context, thus enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This is the first clinical application of momentary assessment technology as a therapeutic tool in the treatment of depressive disorder.
aim To examine whether feedback on daily life person-context interactions results in a decrease in depression and an increased empowerment.
method In this ongoing randomised clinical trial, 120 depressed patients who are on antidepressant pharmacotherapy will be randomly allocated into three groups (feedback intervention; pseudo-intervention, controls). The ‘feedback-intervention’ group will receive continuous PsyMate measurements with weekly feedback during a period of 6 weeks. The feedback will be focused on positive affect and its contextual embedding. The ‘pseudo-intervention’ group will receive continuous PsyMate measurements with out weekly feedback during a period of six weeks. The control group will receive no additional intervention. Pre- and post-intervention PsyMate measurements of daily life emotions will be collected for all subjects. The follow-up period is six months.
results The study is still ongoing. At the symposium the first findings can be presented.
conclusion Conclusions will follow at the congress.