Integrated therapist and online cognitive behavioural therapy for depression in primary care: the INTERACT research programme, including the INTERACT RCT

Tallon, Debbie, Thomas, Laura, Brabyn, Sally, Ching, Brian CF, Fox, Fiona, Hahn, Jane Sungmin, Jude, Berry, Li, Jinshuo, López-López, José A, Stawarz, Katarzyna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9021-0615, Taylor, Abigail, Wu, Qi, Logan, Mekeda X., Burrage, Alex, Caldwell, Deborah M., Coyle, David, Gilbody, Simon, Lanham, Paul, Lewis, Glyn, MacNeill, Stephanie, Nazareth, Irwin, Parrott, Steve, Peters, Tim J., Preist, Chris, Shafran, Roz, Turner, Katrina, Welton, Nicky J., Williams, Chris, Kessler, David and Wiles, Nicola 2026. Integrated therapist and online cognitive behavioural therapy for depression in primary care: the INTERACT research programme, including the INTERACT RCT. Programme Grants for Applied Research 14 (13) 10.3310/GJNW3912

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Abstract

Background Cognitive–behavioural therapy is an effective treatment for depression. A key question is how to increase access. Engagement with cognitive–behavioural therapy-based computerised interventions is poor, and programmes are inflexible and impersonal. Innovative use of technology and integration of online materials could increase engagement and widen access. Objectives To develop and evaluate a novel approach to delivering cognitive–behavioural therapy for depression integrating therapist-led sessions and online cognitive–behavioural therapy materials. Design and methods The INTEgrated theRApist and online CbT for depression research programme comprised four work packages. The first developed the online therapy platform and materials, and training for therapists. This comprised a series of studies: a systematic review and network meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness of different types and components of cognitive–behavioural therapy; a Delphi study focused on the effective components of cognitive–behavioural therapy; a decision model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different formats of delivering cognitive–behavioural therapy; a survey of accredited cognitive–behavioural therapy therapists asking about their use and views of different resources used in cognitive–behavioural therapy; and iterative design work aimed at understanding the design requirements for the platform. The prototype platform was then evaluated in a pilot study, with subsequent final refinement. The second and third work packages evaluated the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared with usual general practitioner care in a multicentre randomised controlled trial (with a parallel economic evaluation) over 12 months in primary care patients with depression. The fourth examined the intervention’s acceptability through a nested qualitative study of patients, therapists and supervisors.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Computational & Mathematical Sciences Schools > Computer Science & Informatics
Additional Information:	Full list of authors available: https://doi.org/10.3310/GJNW3912
Publisher:	NIHR Journals Library
ISSN:	2050-4322
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	3 August 2026
Last Modified:	14 Sep 2026 13:48
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188669

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