HARMON-E: group-based online trial for people experiencing depression or bipolar disorder

michaelbluwol
Aug 7, 2024
2 min read

https://foodandmoodcentre.com.au/projects/the-harmone-trial/

Do you know someone struggling with an episode of depression?

Have they been diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder and are seeking support they can access remotely?

Researchers at the Food and Mood Centre at Deakin University are looking for volunteers to participate in a study that aims to compare the effectiveness of two mental health programs run by allied health professionals or clinical psychologists for the treatment of mood disorders.

Participants will receive six sessions of a group-based mental health program, run over zoom with 3-9 other participants. The program will be run over eight weeks and is open to participants Australia-wide.

What is the HARMON-E study?

The HARMON-E trial is a group-based, telehealth clinical trial designed to support positive lifestyle changes to improve mental health for adults who are experiencing depression or bipolar disorder. HARMON-E is based on well-established evidence for lifestyle interventions as effective strategies for improving depressive symptoms and common associated physical health conditions.

How are we doing this study?

We are recruiting 378 people (18+) from across Australia to participate in this study. Participants are randomly allocated into one of two programs: 1) led by allied health professionals and 2) led by clinical psychologists. Each program is 8 weeks long and we will measure changes in depressive symptoms over this period and compare them between the two groups.

Participants are asked to:

Join one 30-minute one-on-one introductory session with their interventionist via video call (Zoom)
Join six 90-minute mental health sessions via video call with a group of up to 7 other people (the same group each time)
Answer questions in 5 one-on-one interviews over zoom about your health and wellbeing
Make 2 visits to your local pathology to have a blood test and your height and weight measured
Collect 2 stool samples at home

What are we hoping to find? The trial aims to determine whether a lifestyle-based approach to mental health care is as good as psychotherapy for reducing symptoms of depression.

Interested in participating?

If you are interested in participating you can complete a quick, 5 minute online prescreening survey to see if you may be eligible. Click here to check your eligibility.

If you would like to receive more information about the study, please contact us at harmone@deakin.edu.au or click here to submit your details using our online form.