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Schladitz, K.* ; Buß, A.* ; Pabst, A.* ; Welzel, F.D.* ; Blüher, M. ; Stumvoll, M. ; Brettschneider, C.* ; König, H.H.* ; Riedel-Heller, S.G.* ; Löbner, M.*

Effectiveness of an internet-based self-help intervention for improving mental health in individuals with obesity: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BMJ Open 15:e107131 (2025)
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INTRODUCTION: Patients with chronic somatic diseases such as obesity often develop comorbid depressive symptoms. E-mental health interventions are an innovative and effective treatment option within a stepped care approach. Studies have shown that acceptance and adherence are higher when they are tailored to the specific needs of the target group. This study protocol describes a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of an internet-based self-help intervention, Fit4Mood, to improve mental health in the high-risk group of adults with obesity. The objective of the @ktivPLUS research project is to evaluate the effectiveness, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of the intervention in comparison to an online bibliotherapy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Eligible individuals will be randomly allocated to an intervention group (access to an internet-based intervention) or to an active control group (access to an online bibliotherapy). Assessments will be conducted before the start of the intervention (baseline (BL)) and 4 months after BL (follow-up (FU)). The primary outcome is the reduction in depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II) in n=190 participants. Secondary outcomes are anxiety, quality of life, activity, self-efficacy, resilience, mental and digital health literacy, stress, sleep quality, weight loss, weight management activities and readiness to lose weight, weight self-stigma, uptake, adherence and satisfaction with the intervention, workability and cost-effectiveness at follow-up. Additionally, sociodemographics, health, comorbidities and disabilities, as well as internet-specific information, will be assessed at BL. Intention-to-treat analysis using generalised linear mixed models will be applied. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Approval for this study has been granted by the ethics committee of the University of Leipzig (ID: 140/25-ek). All participants will provide informed consent prior to participation in the study. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. In the case of a successful evaluation, the internet-based self-help intervention Fit4Mood will be provided as freeware, which will be easily accessible and free of charge. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The current RCT study has been registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (Identifier: DRKS00036178, Registered 24 June 2025; https://www.drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00036178).
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Keywords Depression & Mood Disorders ; Internet ; Obesity ; Randomized Controlled Trial
Language english
Publication Year 2025
HGF-reported in Year 2025
ISSN (print) / ISBN 2044-6055
e-ISSN 2044-6055
Journal BMJ Open
Quellenangaben Volume: 15, Issue: 11, Pages: , Article Number: e107131 Supplement: ,
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Helmholtz Institute for Metabolism, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG)
POF-Topic(s) 30201 - Metabolic Health
Research field(s) Helmholtz Diabetes Center
PSP Element(s) G-506501-001
G-506500-001
PubMed ID 41193217
Erfassungsdatum 2025-11-07