Efficacy of Micro-Video Psychological Training Camp for Reducing Depression and Anxiety and Enhancing Resilience: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Anxiety disorders and depression are highly prevalent and comorbid, contributing to chronicity and symptom severity, yet treatment accessibility remains limited. Digital interventions serve as scalable adjuncts to traditional face-to-face therapies in resource-constrained settings. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the Micro-Video Psychological Training Camp (MVPTC), a fully automated digital intervention grounded in integrative psychotherapy principles and targeting mild-to-moderate depression/anxiety and multidimensional mental health. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 204 adults (aged 18–70) with mild-to-moderate symptoms were allocated to MVPTC (8 self-guided sessions, n=97) or waitlist control (n=107). Primary outcomes (Self-Rating Depression Scale [SDS], Self-Rating Anxiety Scale [SAS]) and secondary outcomes (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale [CD-RISC]) were assessed at baseline (T1), post-intervention (T2), and 1-/3-month follow-ups (T3/T4). Exploratory outcomes included sleep quality (Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]), coping strategies (Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire [SCSQ]), and perceived social support (Perceived Social Support Scale [PSSS]). Feasibility (dropout/adherence) and acceptability (satisfaction ratings) were analyzed. Results: Participants (mean age 30.68±7.61 years; female : male=2:1) exhibited a 36.08% dropout rate in MVPTC versus 8.41% in controls. MVPTC significantly reduced depressive symptoms (SDS: Cohen’s d =0.87 at T2, 0.99 at T3, 0.80 at T4; all P<0.01) and anxiety (SAS: Cohen’s d =0.71 at T2, 0.75 at T3, 0.63 at T4; P≤0.01), with sustained resilience improvements (CD-RISC: Cohen’s d =-0.97 at T3, -0.84 at T4; P<0.01) and sleep quality gains (ISI: Cohen’s d =0.97–1.08; P≤0.01). Coping strategies improved transiently (SCSQ: Cohen’s d =-0.58 at T2, -0.53 at T3; P<0.05), while social support showed no sustained group differences despite temporary family/friend support increases at T3 (Cohen’s d =-0.55 to -0.68; P<0.05). This study indicates that participants found the intervention acceptable, with an average rating of 3.06±0.41 on a 0–4 scale (n=44). Notably, those in the MVPTC group reported high satisfaction across multiple domains. Conclusions: The MVPTC program is a promising intervention for mild to moderate depression and anxiety, significantly reducing symptoms while enhancing resilience, sleep quality, coping strategies, and social support, with core results effect sustained over a 3-month follow-up period. Its effectiveness and broad applicability highlight its potential for integration into routine mental health care and largescale implementation. Further research should prioritize enhancing adherence and motivation to ensure the long-term viability and accessibility of such interventions in real-world settings. Trial registration: Registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100043725). Registered: February 27, 2021, http://www. chictr. org. cn/