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Table 1 Details of Included Studies

From: Efficacy of web-based self-management interventions for depressive symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Author/country/year

Sample type

Adherence to the interventions

N dropout(%)

Age (years,mean)

Intervention design

Control group

Treatment(T) & follow up(F)

Outcome (mean,SD)

Andersson, G.et al./Sweden/2005 [28]

Major depression (for the full CIDI) + mild-to-moderate depression (MADRS–S)

36/57 (63.16%)

117/32 (27.35%)

I:36.4 (11.5) C:36.3 (9.9)

The cognitive–behavioural self-help treatment: study on the website + the therapist gave an e-mail feedback + the discussion groups

A web-based discussion group

T:10w F:6 m

BDI: I: 12.2 (6.8) C: 19.5 (8.1)

Berger, T.et al./ Switzerland and Germany/2011 [29]

Moderate to severe depression (BDI-II)

25/25 (100%)

51/4 (7.84%)

38.8 (14.0)

The web-based self-help program (Deprexis) + scheduled e-mail contact with a therapist

Waiting list

T:10w F:6 m

BDI-II: I: 17.3 (10.2) C: 28.5 (9.4)

Boele, F. W.et al./Netherlands/2018 [21]

At least mild depressive symptoms (CES-D)

19/45 (42.22%)

89/36 (40.45%)

I:43.58 (11.69) C:46.43 (12.28)

Online guided self-help course

Waiting list

T:6w F:12 m

CES-D: I:18.84 (6.4) C:23.09 (7.1)

Bolier, L.et al./Netherlands/2013 [30]

mild to moderate depressive symptoms (CES-D)

95/143 (66.43%)

284/70 (24.65%)

43.2 (11.8)

An online self-help intervention (Psyfit): psycho-education + practical exercise

Waiting list

T:2 m F:6 m

CES-D: I:13.67 (6.69) C:15.39 (7.64)

Bücker, L.et al./Germany/2019 [31]

Self-reported depressive symptoms

47/64 (73.44%)

127/24 (18.90%)

I:44.02 (10.90) C:48.02 (10.95)

An internet-based self-help program (MOOD)

Care as usual (CAU)

T:6w

BDI-II: I:20.36 (14.70) C:18.68 (12.79)

Ebert, D. D.et al./Germany/2017 [16]

at least moderate symptoms of depression (CES-D)

129/130 (99.23%)

260/4 (0.02%)

50.8 (11.8)

A guided Internet-based self-help intervention (GET.ON Mood Enhancer Diabetes)

Treatment as usual + online psychoeducation about depression

T:2 m F:6 m

CES-D: I:21.1 (8.8) C:28.9 (8.7)

Eysenbach, Gunther et al./ Netherlands/2014

depressive symptoms (CES-D)

75/116 (64.66%)

231/60 (25.97%)

43.4 (9.2)

A worker-directed, Web-based, guided self-help intervention (Happy@Work)

Care as usual (CAU)

T:2 m F:12 m

CES-D: I:15.8 (10.6) C:18.3 (9.1)

Johansson, R.et al./Sweden/2012 [15]

Mild, moderate, and major depression (MADRS-S) + major depressive disorder (DSM-IV)

42/46 (91.30%)

92/4 (4.35%)

45.6 (14.0)

A guided self-help psychodynamic treatment (SUBGAP) + online support from a therapist

Non-directive online supportive treatment

T:10w F:10 m

BDI-II: I:11.48 (7.8) C:20.22 (7.8)

Kenter, Robin Maria Francisca et al./Netherlands/2016 [23]

major depressive disorder (DSM-IV)

94/136 (69.12%)

269/85 (31.60%)

38.0 (11.4)

An Internet intervention on problem solving therapy

A self-help book format without any form of guidance.

T:8w F:N

CES-D:I:27.0 (15.1) C:25.9 (14.9)

Merry, S. N.et al./ New Zealand/2012 [32]

Moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9)

85/94 (90.43%)

187/17 (9.09%)

I:15.55 (1.54) C:15.58 (1.66)

An interactive fantasy game (SPARX)

Treatment as usual

T:2 m F:3 m

CDRS-R: I:33.92 (11.19) C:35.07 (9.71)

Moritz, S./Germany/2012 [17]

depressive symptoms (BDI)

82/105 (78.10%)

210/40 (19.05%)

I:38.00 (10.76) C:39.13 (15.82)

An online self-help program for depression (Deprexis)

Waiting list

T:8w F:N

BDI: :20.51 (12.22) C:25.67 (11.65)

Reins, J. A.et al./Germany/2019 [18]

major depressive disorder (DSM-IV)

54/65 (83.08%)

131/22 (16.80%)

41.6 (10.8)

A guided internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (GET.ON Mood Enhancer)

Online Psychoeducation on Depression

T:6w F:3 m

HRSD: :13.75 (7.52) C:16.47 (9.45)

Roepke, A. M.et al./the United States/2015 [33]

clinically significant depression (CES-D)

20/93 (21.51%)

186/130 (69.89%)

I:42.28 (12.56) C:40.27 (13.06)

An innovative smartphone and Internet-based game (SuperBetter)

Waiting list

T:4w F:6w

CES-D: I:23.55 (13.73) C:27.36 (10.63)

Sander, L. B.et al./Germany/2020 [34]

Mild, moderate, and major depression (PHQ-9)

102/149 (68.46%)

295/71 (24.07%)

52.8 (7.7)

A guided, web-based self-help intervention (eSano BackCare-DP) + automated motivational text messages + e-coaches give written feedback to answering queries.

Treatment as usual

T:9w F:12 m

HAM-D score: I: 5.63 (3.88) C: 7.24 (5.38)

van Luenen, S. et al./Netherlands/2018 [35]

mild to moderate depressive symptoms (PHQ-9)

75/97 (77.32%)

188/36 (19.15%)

46.30 (10.63)

An internet-based self-help intervention consisted of cognitive behavioural therapy

Waiting list

T:10w F:6 m

PHQ-9: I:6.73 (3.00) C:8.60 (3.12)

Vernmark, K. et al./Sweden/2010 [36]

mild to moderate depressive (MADRS-S) + major depression (DSM-IV)

24/27 (88.89%)

56/7 (12.50%)

36.82 (12.9)

An Internet guided self-help depression program: weekly modules + homework assignments

Waiting list

T:8w F:6 m

BDI: I: 12.3 (7.3) C: 16.6 (7.9)

Wilson, M.et al./the United States/2018 [37]

at least moderate depressive symptoms (PHQ-9)

22/27 (81.48%)

53/6 (11.32%)

I:45.7 (12.8) C:47.5 (12.9)

An internet-based, self-directed program for depressive symptoms: Videos + interactive activities + homework exercises

Treatment as usual

T:4w F:8w

PHQ-8: I:18.40 (5.28) C:20.74 (5.66)

Zwerenz, R.et al./Germany/2019 [38]

at least moderate depressive symptoms (BDI-II) + a clinical diagnosis of depression (ICD-10)

101/115 (87.83%)

229/31 (13.54%)

48 (9.79)

A Web-based self-help program (Deprexis) + multimodal inpatient psychodynamic psychotherapy

An internet platform provides basic information about depression

T:12w F:6 m

BDI-II: I:18.52 (10.78) C:24.75 (10.74)

  1. Note. BDI-II Beck Depression Scale II, CES-D The Epidemiology Research Center Depression Scale, PHQ-9 The Patient Health Questionnaire – depression module, PHQ-8 The Patient Health Questionnaire, HRSD/HAMD The Hamilton Depression Scale, HADS Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, MADRS-S The Montgomery-Eisenberg Depression Scale, CDRS-R A modified childhood depression Rating Scale, CIDI Composite International Diagnostic Interview, DSM-IV Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, RADS-2 The Reynolds adolescent depression scale-second edition, QIDS Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, ICD-10 International Classification of Diseases tenth version