NCT07365787

Internet-Based Group CBT for Anxiety and Depression Among International Students

Effectiveness of Internet-Based Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (GCBT) for Anxiety and Depression Among International Students Studying in Malaysia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 128 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universiti Putra Malaysia · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this RCT trial is to learn if internet-based group cognitive behaviour therapy delivered via the Zoom application works to treat anxiety and depression among international students. It will also learn about the predictive factors of the intervention's effectiveness. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does participating in internet-based GCBT reduce the symptoms of anxiety among international students in Malaysia? * Does participating in internet-based GCBT reduce the symptoms of depression among international students in Malaysia? Researchers will compare students who take part in the intervention program with students in a waitlist control group to understand whether the intervention is associated with changes in anxiety and depression symptoms. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to either the intervention program or a waitlist control group * Attend four sessions of one hour each, including 1) psychoeducation, 2) cognitive techniques, 3) behaviour techniques, and 4) support and relapse prevention. A booster session and a follow-up assessment will be done1 month post intervention.

Conditions

• Anxiety
• Depression

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	DARE-Depression and Anxiety Regulation Program	Participants assigned to this intervention will receive a structured, manual-based online GCCBT intervention delivered via Zoom. The program consists of four weekly group sessions, each lasting approximately 60 minutes, followed by a booster session conducted one month after completion of the intervention. Sessions will be conducted by the researcher, a clinical psychologist, under the supervision of a senior clinical psychologist with formal training and expertise in group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (GCBT). The intervention follows a structured progression beginning with psychoeducation, followed by cognitive skill development and behavioural techniques. The later sessions emphasise consolidation of learnt skills, peer support, and relapse-prevention planning. The content and delivery of the intervention are designed to be relevant and sensitive to the experiences of international university students.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-06-01
• Primary completion: 2026-12-31
• Completion: 2027-08-31
• First posted: 2026-01-26
• Last updated: 2026-01-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Malaysia