TACK - Adapting and testing a technology supported and solution-focused intervention (DIALOG+) for people with chronic depression
Who this study is aimed at?
People who have symptoms of depression or non-psychotic low mood with a duration of illness of at least 2 years and are receiving treatment from an NHS mental health service with regular contact with clinicians
Who can’t take part?
People who have a primary diagnosis of a substance misuse problem, a diagnosis of a mental disorder eg Alzheimer’s, current inpatients on a psychiatric ward. People who do not currently have clinical contact with a mental health professional
Study summary
This research aims to develop a new approach to help people with chronic depression. Researchers have developed an intervention called “DIALOG+” which helped people with schizophrenia. DIALOG+ involved mental health staff using a tablet computer to ask about satisfaction with different areas of life and then working together to find solutions to concerns raised. After using DIALOG+, service users were more satisfied with life and had fewer symptoms. Service users and staff found the approach helpful and it saved the NHS money.
The second phase of the TACK programme is looking at the effectiveness of DIALOG+ for people with chronic depression on improving quality of life and clinical outcomes (such as depression symptoms). The intervention will be tested in routine meetings across six sites in England. Researchers will also evaluate how cost-effective the intervention is within the NHS. They will also determine what works well or not so well in order to improve training materials and resources for staff.
Study visits
Six months of monthly sessions, followed by six months of booster sessions, to be done at the same time as clinical appointments
Services taking part
Northlands Community Health Centre, Edmund Road, East Glade Centre
Who to contact
Matthew Mills, Shonagh Scott, Jonathan Woods
How to contact
matthew.mills@shsc.nhs.uk, shonagh.scott@shsc.nhs.uk jonathan.woods@shsc.nhs.uk
Find out more
Find out more information here.