Evaluating a Novel Internet Intervention for Persons With Epilepsy and Depression

The trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel internet intervention (Desiconnect), which was designed to introduce relevant cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to Persons with Epilepsy (PwE) and comorbid depression. Therefore, 200 PwE and a current depressive disorder (major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder) will be recruited and randomized to two groups: (1) a control group, in which they may engage with any epilepsy treatment (Care-as-Usual, CAU) and receive access to Desiconnect after a delay of three months (i.e., CAU/wait list control group), or (2) to a treatment group that immediately receives six-month access to Desiconnect and may also use CAU. The primary outcome measure is the depression scale of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), collected at three months post-baseline.