Question 1

Why is this study being conducted?

Accepted Answer

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses worldwide, often with serious consequences for those affected and their environment. At the same time, access to appropriate treatment services is often associated with long waiting times. Web-based treatment services have proven to be effective in treating mental distress in recent years and offer the potential to shorten waiting times. We would like to investigate this more closely with your help.

Question 2

What is My7steps App?

Accepted Answer

The medical product My7steps App is a web-based treatment programme for reducing psychological complaints. In My7steps App, psychotherapeutic principles are implemented digitally and divided into seven steps. In the course of the treatment, you receive information, are asked to classify or write down situations and are given tasks and exercises or presented with explanations in the form of films and sound recordings. My7steps app reacts interactively to your individual answers and adapts further content accordingly.

Question 3

How does the study work and how long does it take to participate?

Accepted Answer

As part of the study, we will record your psychosocial health with the help of standardised questionnaires at the beginning and at the end of your participation. This will be done in two telephone interviews, each of which will take 30 to 45 minutes. Whether My7steps App is a suitable offer for you and you can participate in the study will be determined in an introductory video interview, which will take place before you are admitted to the study and will also last about 45 minutes. In total, three appointments are necessary for participation in the study, each lasting about 45 minutes and spread over 3.5 months of study time: two appointments at the beginning and one appointment at the end of the study.

Question 4

Are there different groups in the study?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The study participants will be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to one of two groups at the end of the first telephone interview: The "treatment group" receives direct access to the My7steps App programme. The "control group" remains on a waiting list for three months. The rest of the treatment is the same for both groups. The random allocation ensures comparability between the groups. The probability of being assigned to one of the two groups is equal. At the end of the study, the control group will also receive two months of free access to My7steps App.

During the study, the treatment group and the control group are compared. The investigators do not know which group you belong to, but you do. This is called "blinding". Blinding the investigators is necessary to get the most unbiased results possible. Please do not tell the examiners which group you are in!

Question 5

What do you have to keep in mind?

Accepted Answer

You will receive a short introduction to the My7steps App at the end of the first telephone interview and we will prepare your registration. You will then receive an invitation email to complete your registration for My7steps App on your own. For this you will need an internet-enabled device (e.g. smartphone or PC) and access to the internet while using the programme. Regular use of My7steps App over the two-month treatment period is recommended. Of course, you may also use alternative treatment options (e.g. psychotherapy, medication) during your participation in the study, we just ask you to inform us about this on request.

Question 6

Is there a personal benefit from participating in the study?

Accepted Answer

As a study participant, you have direct access to the My7steps app free of charge after activation. You can decide for yourself when and how intensively you use the programme. However, it is possible that you will not directly benefit from your participation. However, the results of the study may help other people in the future.

Question 7

What are the risks of participating in the study?

Accepted Answer

My7steps App is an offer that provides you with a direct self-help option without any known risks. In isolated cases, however, it may happen that the psychological complaints are not reduced, or only slightly. This can cause a feeling of disappointment. As a safety feature, the programme automatically reacts to drastic deteriorations in self-assessment, the formulation of suicidal thoughts or signs of a medical contraindication. In these cases, the programme prompts a psychologically trained staff member to review your case and contact you directly in the event of a suspected risk to your safety. This can be done by text message, email or in urgent cases by phone call. We strongly advise you to follow the recommendations and seek further, direct and personal help locally if necessary. Help can be provided by a doctor, a psychological psychotherapist or an appropriate specialist. In case of acute emergencies, contact them immediately or dial the national emergency numbers of the fire brigade or police.

Question 8

Are there any costs involved in participating or is there an expense allowance?

Accepted Answer

Neither you nor the health insurance company will incur any additional costs by participating in the study. As compensation for your effort, you will receive 50€ at the end of your participation.

Call for studies:
Take the chance to find your way out of depression!

What awaits you in the study

This is how the study works

Your security

Study profile

Most frequent questions

Why is this study being conducted?

What is My7steps App?

How does the study work and how long does it take to participate?

Are there different groups in the study?

What do you have to keep in mind?

Is there a personal benefit from participating in the study?

What are the risks of participating in the study?

Are there any costs involved in participating or is there an expense allowance?

Call for studies:Take the chance to find your way out of depression!

What awaits you in the study

This is how the study works

Your security

Study profile

Most frequent questions

Why is this study being conducted?

What is My7steps App?

How does the study work and how long does it take to participate?

Are there different groups in the study?

What do you have to keep in mind?

Is there a personal benefit from participating in the study?

What are the risks of participating in the study?

Are there any costs involved in participating or is there an expense allowance?

Call for studies:
Take the chance to find your way out of depression!