AUTHOR=Thielecke Janika , Buntrock Claudia , Titzler Ingrid , Braun Lina , Freund Johanna , Berking Matthias , Baumeister Harald , Ebert David D. 

TITLE=Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness of Personalized Tele-Based Coaching for Farmers, Foresters and Gardeners to Prevent Depression: Study Protocol of an 18-Month Follow-Up Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial (TEC-A)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00125

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00125

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=Background:  Farmers show high levels of depressive symptoms and mental health problems in various studies. This study is part of a nationwide prevention project carried out by a German social insurance company for farmers, foresters and gardeners (SVLFG) to implement internet- and tele-based services among others to improve mental health in this population. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness of personalized tele-based coaching for reducing depressive symptom severity and preventing the onset of clinical depression, compared to enhanced treatment as usual.

Methods: In a two-armed, pragmatic randomized controlled trial (N=312) with follow-ups at post-treatment (6 months), 12 months and 18 months, insured farmers, foresters and gardeners, collaborating family members and pensioners with elevated depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) will be randomly allocated to personalized tele-based coaching or enhanced treatment as usual. The coaching is provided by psychologists and consists of up to 34 tele-based sessions for 25 to 50 minutes delivered over 6 months. Primary outcome is depressive symptom severity at post-treatment. Secondary outcomes include depression onset, anxiety, stress and quality of life. A health-economic evaluation will be conducted from a societal perspective. 

Discussion: This study is the first pragmatic randomized controlled trial evaluating the (cost-) effectiveness of a nationwide tele-based preventive service for farmers. If proven effective, the implementation of personalized tele-based coaching has the potential to reduce disease burden and health care costs both at an individual and societal level.

Trial registration: German Clinical Trial Registration: DRKS00014000.