Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41818186›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Study Protocol: It is time to dig deeper: A cross-country implementation mapping study of the iFightDepression® (online self-management) tool.

Thomas Rotter, Milica Petrovic, Mikołaj Zarzycki, Caroline Allenhof, Katharina Schnitzspahn, Piotr Toczyski, Azucena Justicia, Saiko Allende Leal, James Chan, Johannes Leimhofer and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Thomas RotterSchool of Nursing, Queen's University, 92 Barrie Street, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Milica PetrovicResearch Center of the German Foundation for Depression and Suicide Prevention, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Goethe University, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Str 10, Frankfurt, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9577-0811
Mikołaj ZarzyckiSchool of Psychology and Sport Science, College of Medicine and Health, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom & Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, NHS Wales, Wales, United Kingdom.
Caroline AllenhofGerman Foundation for Depression and Suicide Prevention, Goerdelerring 9, Leipzig, Germany.
Katharina SchnitzspahnEuropean Alliance Against Depression (EAAD) e.V., Goerdelerring 9, Leipzig, Germany.
Piotr ToczyskiDepartment of Media Sociology and Social Communication, The Maria Grzegorzewska University, Warsaw, Poland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1218-5623
Azucena JusticiaHospital del Mar Research Institute, CIBER of Mental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
Saiko Allende LealCentre for Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6963-9855
James ChanChief Executive Officer (CEO) Sault Ste. Marie YMCA, Ontario, Canada.
Johannes LeimhoferResearch Center of the German Foundation for Depression and Suicide Prevention, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Goethe University, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Str 10, Frankfurt, Germany.
Katharina ScholzeGerman Foundation for Depression and Suicide Prevention, Goerdelerring 9, Leipzig, Germany.
Stefan HackelGerman Foundation for Depression and Suicide Prevention, Goerdelerring 9, Leipzig, Germany.
Victor Pérez SolaCentre for Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Spain; Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Ulrich HegerlResearch Center of the German Foundation for Depression and Suicide Prevention, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Goethe University, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Str 10, Frankfurt, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe iFightDepression® (iFD) tool is an internet-based self-management program for individuals with milder forms of depression, used alongside support from trained user guides (e.g., family physicians). Despite strong evidence supporting guided internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT), adherence to the iFD tool and its uptake across implementing countries remain variable.

methodsThis implementation mapping study will be conducted in Germany, Poland, and Spain. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we aim to identify barriers, facilitators, and country-specific implementation strategies. In Phase 1, we will invite 15 trained iFD user guides to complete an online qualitative survey to explore user experiences and perceived influences on patient uptake and adherence. In Phase 2, three country-specific focus groups will be conducted with trained user guides (one in each country). Survey data will be analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and focus group data will be analyzed using template analysis. DISCUSSION: Findings will be used to develop an iFD implementation manual and country-specific implementation blueprints. These outputs are intended to support consistent and sustainable adoption of this internet-based intervention across participating countries and to improve patient uptake and adherence. STUDY REGISTRATION: The study, including the analysis plan, has been preregistered via the Open Science Framework (internet archive link: https://archive.org/details/osf-registrations-wmbhy-v1) following ethical approval.

Indexed as

Cognitive Behavioral TherapyDepressionSelf-ManagementFocus GroupsGermanyHumansInternetPolandSpainSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID41818186
PMCPMC12981504

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.