Deprexis® Acceptability study in REal life (DARE): study design

INTRODUCTION: Depression is a leading cause of disability, worldwide. Recently, WHO highlighted the negative impact of recent crises (COVID-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine, economic crisis). Although most international guidelines recommend psychotherapies as first-line treatment of depression, access remains scarce in France due to limited availability of trained clinicians (notably those with CBT certification), high cost for patient in a context of non-reimbursement and fear of stigmatization (Coldefy M. HCAA, 2022/04,19). Therefore, online blended psychological treatment such as deprexis® could increase access to care for people with depression. It presents several advantages such as easy access, scalability, and a proven efficacy (Twomey et al. PLoS One. 2020;15(1):e022810). OBJECTIVES: This study aims to test real-life acceptability of deprexis® for people with depression in France outside a reimbursement pathway. Primary objective of this cross-sectional study is to measure acceptability of deprexis® a new digital therapy in France. Questionnaire includes acceptability of deprexis® assessed with patient willingness to complete deprexis® course, reasons of refusal, when needed, demographics and depression characteristics. The secondary objectives are to study 1/ acceptability according to type of center (Hospital based, Community Based or private practice) and type of practitioners (psychiatrists or psychologists), 2/ differences in acceptability according to severity’s level (evaluated with PHQ 9), 3/ differences in acceptability according to administration or not of a treatment (including psychotherapy), 4/ differences in acceptability according to prescriber’s profile (age, sex, place and type of practice), 5/ identification of reasons for refusal , and 6/ analyze refusal rate over time. METHODS: DARE is as a cross-sectional study in which deprexis® is suggested to any patient meeting the inclusion criteria over the fixed inclusion period June-December 2022 Inclusion criteria are: 1/ depression, 2/ age between 18 and 65 years, 3/ speak French sufficiently, 4/ access to Internet with a device to connect to deprexis® platform. Exclusion criteria are diagnosis of bipolar disorder, psychotic symptoms and/or suicidal thoughts during the current episode. All investigators received a video-based training on deprexis® before inclusion to make sure they all have same level of information and understanding on the program. RESULTS: The study is currently recruiting. Data will be available for EPA congress. CONCLUSIONS: It is a first time a digital therapy is completing the current therapeutic options for the treatment of depression in France. Acceptability of this innovation by both patients and Healthcare providers is a first step. DARE may allow to have a better understanding of the acceptability of a digital therapy in the treatment of depression in France and identify the different factors influencing it in a natural setting. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST: O. Amiot Consultant of: Ethypharm Digital Therapy, A. H. Clair Consultant of: Ethypharm Digital Therapy, P. Courtet Consultant of: Ethypharm Digital Therapy, E. Fakra Consultant of: Ethypharm Digital Therapy, V. Narboni Employee of: Ethypharm Digital Therapy, F. Gheysen Consultant of: Ethypharm Digital Therapy, E. Haffen Consultant of: Ethypharm Digital Therapy, D. Drapier Consultant of: Ethypharm Digital Therapy, L. Lecardeur Consultant of: Ethypharm Digital Therapy