Self-Identification Program (SIP)

Correct Self-identification Program in the Treatment of Depression: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Conduct a pilot, single-center, randomized controlled 2-arm study aimed to evaluate the impact of an in-depth 3rd wave CBT program targeting correct self-identification (3rd level of 3rd wave CBT), compared to a control group receiving an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT; (1st level of 3rd wave CBT, a well-known psychotherapy). Main judgment criteria : Therapeutic response (reduction ≥ 50% between pre and immediate post-treatment), and rate of relapse at 6 months post-therapy. Secondary objectives: Evaluate psychological processes involved in the reduction of moral pain, diligence, ruminations, suicidal ideas, self-concept and alterations in functioning (mental and social), psychological skills.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder; Third Wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: SIP

Detailed Description

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is one of the health problems most prevalent mental health issues of the 21st century. Currently available treatments are insufficient to treat effectively combat depression, prevent relapse, and provide a care offer accessible to all people. requiring. Self-identification is at the heart of the dimensional understanding of this disorder, including moral pain inherent is associated with excess suicide mortality. From altered relationships to negative affectivity and affectivity positive are central psychological processes that maintain depression and promote relapse. Cognitive and behavioral psychotherapies (CBT) are the reference in addition to medications. The paramedical team (nurses and psychologists) of the Therapies Center (CHU Montpellier) has created a program targeting correct Self-Identification (SIP; 3rd level of 3rd wave CBT), allowing the reestablishment of functional relationships. This notable innovation was welcomed by the World Health Organisation, which requested its presentation during the meeting of the United Nations in Geneva in June 2021 (international exhibition on resilience).

Main objectives: Conduct a pilot, single-center, randomized controlled 2-arm study aimed to evaluate the impact of an in-depth 3rd wave CBT program targeting correct self-identification (3rd level of 3rd wave CBT), compared to a control group receiving an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT; (1st level of 3rd wave CBT, a well-known psychotherapy). Main judgment criteria : Therapeutic response (reduction ≥ 50% between pre and immediate post-treatment), and rate of relapse at 6 months post-therapy. Secondary objectives: Evaluate psychological processes involved in the reduction of moral pain, diligence, ruminations, suicidal ideas, self-concept and alterations in functioning (mental and social), psychological skills.

Statistical analysis: A descriptive analysis of the initial characteristics of the patients will be carried out in each of the groups to check initial comparability. The analyzes of the judgment criteria will be carried out with an intention-to-treat analysis.

Feasibility: Paramedical team (nurses and psychologists) specialized in 3rd wave CBT (200 patients/week), coordinated by Dr Ducasse (internationally recognized in the field).

Outcomes/prospects: This program should 1) reduce the frequency and intensity of mental illnesses symptoms, and the associated mental pain, 2) prevent the negative consequences of mental illnesses (poor quality of life, isolation, self-damaging behavior), 3) reduce the mental illness stigma.

3rd wave CBTs constitute programs that can be delivered in group sessions by both nurses and psychologists, with appropriate training. This ensures its potential for wide distribution, where France faces a shortage of psychotherapeutic offerings.

Such a program will undeniably constitute an important contribution on the dimensional understanding of mental illnesses, and the implementation of innovative transnosographic psychotherapeutic care.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 86
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Déborah Ducasse, MD; Phone Number: +33 4 67 33 28 29; Email: d-ducasse@chu-montpellier.fr
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Véronique Brand Arpon, IDE; Email: v-arpon@chu-montpellier.fr

Study Locations

• France
  • Montpellier, France
    • Recruiting
    • CHU Montpellier

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 18 to 70 years, presenting a current major depressive episode (according to DSM 571), as part of unipolar or bipolar depressive disorder

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a psychotic disorder
• Patients with active thoughts of suicide with intention to carry out the act (C-SSRS "ideation suicidal" in the last week ≥ 4)
• Inability to receive informed information about the study
• Exclusion period determined by a previous study
• Adult protected by law or patient under guardianship or curatorship
• Not be affiliated to a French social security scheme or beneficiary of such a scheme
• Not being able to give informed written consent
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Patients under judicial protection

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: The group Self-Identification Program (SIP); The Self-Identification Program (SIP) is a third level of third wave CBT. It targets a correct self-identification through the of the following skills : understand the nature and functioning of one's own mind (=conscious power, what allows the appearance of experiences);; learn to identify with the characteristics of the mind : to provide soothing (session 1), reassuring power (session 2), benevolent power (session 3), discerning power (session 4), prioritizing power (session 5), acting power (session 6), creative power (session 7), liberating power (session 8); live better with your emotions and moods (and their dysregulation);; develop more respectful communication for oneself and others	Other: SIP; compare the SIP group versus the ACT group
Other: The group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a first level of third wave CBT. It targets the development of the following skills, consistent with the content of programs validated in the domain : decision-making tool (matrix (session 1));; flexibility skills: defusion (session 2), Self as context (session 4), acceptance (session 4), contact with the present moment (session 5), values (session 6), valued actions (session 7), toolkit skills (session 8).	Other: SIP; compare the SIP group versus the ACT group

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)	Depressive symptomatology	Between pre- and immediate post-therapy, 3 months post-intervention and 6 months after the intervention (in the intervention group compared to the control group)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
montgomery asberg depression scale (MADRS)	Depressive symptomatology	Between pre- and immediate post-therapy, 3 months post-intervention and 6 months after the intervention (in the intervention group compared to the control group)
Variation in moral pain	visual analog scale 0-10	Between pre- and immediate post-therapy, 3 months post-intervention and 6 months after the intervention (in the intervention group compared to the control group)
Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST)	Overall functionning	Between pre- and immediate post-therapy, 3 months post-intervention and 6 months after the intervention (in the intervention group compared to the control group)
Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)	Suicidal behaviors	Between pre- and immediate post-therapy, 3 months post-intervention and 6 months after the intervention (in the intervention group compared to the control group)
anxious symptomatology (STAI-State)	anxious symptomatology	Between pre- and immediate post-therapy, 3 months post-intervention and 6 months after the intervention (in the intervention group compared to the control group)
Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS)	Anhedonia	Between pre- and immediate post-therapy, 3 months post-intervention and 6 months after the intervention (in the intervention group compared to the control group)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Hospital, Montpellier

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 27, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 13, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 13, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): December 27, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 30, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 24, 2025
• Last Verified: September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Depression; psychotherapy
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Mood Disorders; Depressive Disorder; Behavior; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major
• Other Study ID Numbers: RECHMPL21_0280

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No