Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41845523›Full record

ArticleTrials2026

Optimizing expectations in an internet- and mobile-based intervention for depression: study protocol for a randomized factorial trial.

Carmen Schaeuffele, Manuel Heinrich, Stephanie Haering, Christina Kampisiou, Lara Bellu, Sebastian Burchert, Marie Puetz, Jessica Wabiszczewicz, Marcel Wilhelm, Pavle Zagorscak and 2 more

Abstract readClinical Trial Protocol
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Trials, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
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

12 authors.

Carmen SchaeuffeleDepartment of Education and Psychology, Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, Berlin, 14195, Germany. carmen.schaeuffele@fu-berlin.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5902-0725
Manuel HeinrichDepartment of Education and Psychology, Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, Berlin, 14195, Germany.
Stephanie HaeringDepartment of Education and Psychology, Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, Berlin, 14195, Germany.
Christina KampisiouDepartment of Education and Psychology, Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, Berlin, 14195, Germany.
Lara BelluDepartment of Education and Psychology, Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, Berlin, 14195, Germany.
Sebastian BurchertDepartment of Education and Psychology, Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, Berlin, 14195, Germany.
Marie PuetzDepartment of Education and Psychology, Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, Berlin, 14195, Germany.
Jessica WabiszczewiczDepartment of Education and Psychology, Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, Berlin, 14195, Germany.
Marcel WilhelmDepartment of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, Marburg, 35032, Germany.
Pavle ZagorscakDepartment of Education and Psychology, Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, Berlin, 14195, Germany.
Winfried Rief *Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, Marburg, 35032, Germany.
Christine Knaevelsrud *Department of Education and Psychology, Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, Berlin, 14195, Germany.

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft 422744262-TRR 289
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundExpectations are considered an important mechanism of change in psychotherapeutic interventions, including internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMI). This study aims to investigate whether two expectation-focused microinterventions can enhance the effects of an IMI for participants with elevated depression.

methodsAll participants will receive an established IMI consisting of six evidence-based cognitive behavioral modules. In this 2×3 factorial design, 720 adult participants will be randomized to receive (1) either the IMI in standard or personalized framing (first randomization factor), in combination with (2) an expectation-focused telephone call mid-treatment, a supportive phone call or no phone call (second randomization factor). The primary outcome is depression at mid- and post-treatment (BDI-II). Secondary measures include expectations, adherence, state and trait anxiety and depression, disability, negative effects, and satisfaction with treatment. DISCUSSION: This study will increase knowledge about applying micro-interventions to modify expectations and improve the effects of IMI in the treatment of depressive symptoms. Scalable IMI has the potential to improve healthcare but ways to further improve their effects and adherence need to be explored.

trial registrationThe trial was prospectively registered under DRKS00032982. Registered on July 11, 2023.

Indexed as

Cell PhoneCognitive Behavioral TherapyDepressionInternetInternet-Based InterventionMobile ApplicationsAdultFemaleHumansMaleProspective StudiesRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeApp-basedCognitive behavioralDepressionExpectationInternet- and mobile-based intervention

Identifiers

PMID41845523
PMCPMC13063910

What OpenQuestion holds

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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.