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Open Paper

Mood Disorders and Suicidality

Depression: Cognitive, Motivational, and Emotional Mechanisms

1 - (OP5) Cognitive Bias Modification Utilised to Rectify Errors for Depression (CURED): A Double-blind, Parallel-group Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial in Adults with Depression

Thursday, June 25, 2026
11:35 AM - 11:52 AM PDT
Location: Golden Gate C3, B2 Level
Keywords: Cognitive Biases / Distortions, Depression, Clinical Trial
Recommended Readings: Lester KJ, Mathews A, Davison PS, Burgess JL, Yiend J. Modifying cognitive errors promotes cognitive well being: A new approach to bias modification. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2011 Sept;42(3):298–308.,   Yiend J, Lee JS, Tekes S, Atkins L, Mathews A, Vrinten M, et al. Modifying Interpretation in a Clinically Depressed Sample Using ‘Cognitive Bias Modification-Errors’: A Double Blind Randomised Controlled Trial. Cogn Ther Res. 2014 Apr;38(2):146–59.,   Lee JS, Mathews A, Shergill S, Yiu Chan DK, Majeed N, Yiend J. How can we enhance cognitive bias modification techniques? The effects of prospective cognition. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2015 Dec;49:120–7.,   ,  


Background: Depression is a leading cause of global disability, yet access to evidence-based treatments such as CBT remains limited due to shortages of trained clinicians. Scalable, low-cost interventions offer a potential solution. Cognitive Bias Modification for Interpretation (CBM-I) is a promising candidate that is grounded in cognitive theory and backed by evidence. However, effects in depression have been weaker. To address previous limitations, we recently developed CURED (Cognitive bias modification Utilised to Rectify Errors for Depression), a six-session intervention co-developed with individuals with lived experience of depression and refined with clinician input. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and safety of CURED.

Methods: The trial is prospectively registered (ISRCTN51689816, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN51689816). This study is a double-blind, parallel-group feasibility randomised controlled trial recruiting 60 adults meeting the inclusion criteria for clinical depression. Participants are randomly allocated 1:1 either to the CURED intervention or a neutral CBM-I control matched for format, length, and delivery, though differing in content. Both arms involve six weekly sessions delivered via mailed pen-and-paper booklets, with remote researcher support to ensure safety, and assessment at baseline, post-treatment (6 weeks) and 12 week follow up. Primary outcomes are feasibility (response, recruitment, eligibility, randomisation, retention, weekly assessment completion, adherence, and randomisation rates), acceptability (Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire, Exit Questionnaire, and qualitative interviews), integrity of blinding, and safety (adverse and serious adverse events). Secondary outcomes include interpretation bias, depressive and anxiety symptoms, cognitive content and processes, and psychosocial functioning.

Results: Recruitment is nearing completion (58/60 participants enrolled at submission). Final analyses will summarise feasibility metrics descriptively and provide variance estimates to inform sample size calculations and primary outcome selection for a future definitive trial and will be available for presentation at the conference.

Discussion: CURED has the potential to address the pressing need for accessible, evidence-based interventions for depression. This feasibility trial will establish whether CURED is feasible, acceptable and safe. If successful, a fully powered, definitive efficacy randomised controlled trial will be warranted.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the need for digital cognitive interventions and recognize PPI-co-developed CURED as an example of an evidence-based cognitive approach.