ArticleTrials2020
Improving adherence to an online intervention for low mood with a virtual coach: study protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Article in Trials, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed.
- Evaluation of the Feasibility and Acceptability of Perfect Fit, a Virtual Coach-Based mHealth Intervention for Smoking Cessation and Physical Activity in Adults: Mixed Methods Study.JMIR human factors · 2026Article
- Improving adherence to an online intervention for low mood by a virtual coach or personalized motivational feedback messages: A three-arm pilot randomized controlled trial.Internet interventions · 2026Article
- Examining the Potential of Social Robots to Increase Adherence in Internet-based CBT.International journal of social robotics · 2026Article
- Understanding Adolescents' Perceived Barriers to Engagement in Online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Programs for Anxiety and Their Ideas for Enhancing User Experience.Journal of clinical psychology · 2025Article
- Understanding Patients' Preferences for a Digital Intervention to Prevent Posttreatment Deterioration for Bulimia-Spectrum Eating Disorders: User-Centered Design Study.JMIR formative research · 2024Article
- An Integrative Survey on Mental Health Conversational Agents to Bridge Computer Science and Medical Perspectives.Proceedings of the Conference on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing. Conference on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing · 2023Article
- Setting Physical Activity Goals with a Virtual Coach: Vicarious Experiences, Personalization and Acceptance.Journal of medical systems · 2023Article
- A Mobile Intervention to Promote Low-Risk Drinking Habits in Young Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR research protocols · 2021Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundInternet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) is more effective when it is guided by human support than when it is unguided. This may be attributable to higher adherence rates that result from a positive effect of the accompanying support on motivation and on engagement with the intervention. This protocol presents the design of a pilot randomized controlled trial that aims to start bridging the gap between guided and unguided interventions. It will test an intervention that includes automated support delivered by an embodied conversational agent (ECA) in the form of a virtual coach. METHODS/
designThe study will employ a pilot two-armed randomized controlled trial design. The primary outcomes of the trial will be (1) the effectiveness of iCBT, as supported by a virtual coach, in terms of improved intervention adherence in comparison with unguided iCBT, and (2) the feasibility of a future, larger-scale trial in terms of recruitment, acceptability, and sample size calculation. Secondary aims will be to assess the virtual coach's effect on motivation, users' perceptions of the virtual coach, and general feasibility of the intervention as supported by a virtual coach. We will recruit N = 70 participants from the general population who wish to learn how they can improve their mood by using Moodbuster Lite, a 4-week cognitive-behavioral therapy course. Candidates with symptoms of moderate to severe depression will be excluded from study participation. Included participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either (1) Moodbuster Lite with automated support delivered by a virtual coach or (2) Moodbuster Lite without automated support. Assessments will be taken at baseline and post-study 4 weeks later. DISCUSSION: The study will assess the preliminary effectiveness of a virtual coach in improving adherence and will determine the feasibility of a larger-scale RCT. It could represent a significant step in bridging the gap between guided and unguided iCBT interventions.
trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register (NTR) NL8110 . Registered on 23 October 2019.
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