Publication directory
Research on SPARX’s success in clinical trials, especially in reducing depression.
Publications on SPARX’s role in schools, focusing on students with unique educational needs.
Research on SPARX’s use across various cultural and demographic groups.
Studies on user feedback and the resulting updates to SPARX.
Research on SPARX’s technological advancements and digital mental health tools.
Studies on SPARX’s adaptation and impact in different countries or cultures.
Efficacy and Impact Studies
Merry, S. N., Stasiak, K., Shepherd, M., Frampton, C., Fleming, T., & Lucassen, M. F. G. (2012). The effectiveness of SPARX, a computerised self-help intervention for adolescents seeking help for depression: Randomised controlled non-inferiority trial. BMJ, 344.
Fleming, T., Dixon, R., Frampton, C., & Merry, S. (2012). A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of computerized CBT (SPARX) for symptoms of depression among adolescents excluded from mainstream education. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 40(5), 529-541.
Yokomitsu, K., Irie, T., Sekiguchi, M., Shimizu, A., Matsuoka, H., Merry, S. N., & Stasiak, K. (2020). Gamified mobile computerized cognitive behavioral therapy for Japanese university students with depressive symptoms: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 9(4).
Poppelaars, M., Tak, Y. R., Lichtwarck-Aschoff, A., Engels, R. C., Lobel, A., Merry, S. N., ... & Granic, I. (2016). A randomized controlled trial comparing two cognitive-behavioral programs for adolescent girls with subclinical depression: a school-based program (Op Volle Kracht) and a computerized program (SPARX). Behaviour research and therapy, 80, 33-42.
Special Populations and Use Cases
Shepherd, M., Fleming, T., Lucassen, M., Stasiak, K., Lambie, I., & Merry, S. (2015). The design and relevance of a computerized gamified depression therapy program for indigenous Māori adolescents. JMIR Serious Games, 3(1).
Lucassen, M. F. G., Perry, Y., Stasiak, K., Shepherd, M., Frampton, C., Fleming TM. Intersex adolescents seeking help for their depression: the case study of SPARX in New Zealand. Sage Journals Australasian Psychiatry.
Lucassen, M. F., Stasiak, K., Fleming, T., Frampton, C., Perry, Y., Shepherd, M., & Merry, S. N. (2021). Computerized cognitive behavioural therapy for gender minority adolescents: Analysis of the real-world implementation of SPARX in New Zealand. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 55(9), 874-882.
Lucassen, M., Samra, R., Iacovides, I., Fleming, T., Shepherd, M., Stasiak, K., & Wallace, L. (2018). How LGBT+ Young People Use the Internet in Relation to Their Mental Health and Envisage the Use of e-Therapy: Exploratory Study. JMIR Serious Games, 6(4), e11249.
Cheek C, Bridgman H, Fleming T, Cummings E, Ellis L, Lucassen MF, Shepherd M, Skinner T. (2014). Views of young people in rural Australia on SPARX, a fantasy world developed for New Zealand youth with depression. JMIR Serious Games. 2(1)
Educational and Institutional Applications
Kuosmanen, T., Fleming, T. M., & Barry, M. M. (2018). The implementation of SPARX-R computerized mental health program in alternative education: Exploring the factors contributing to engagement and dropout. Children and Youth Services Review, 84, 176-184.
Perry, Y., Werner-Seidler, A., Calear, A., Mackinnon, A., King, C., Scott, J., Merry, S., Fleming, T., Stasiak, K., Christensen, H. and Batterham, P.J. (2017). Preventing depression in final year secondary students: School-based randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(11), 11 pages.
Poppelaars, M., Tak, Y. R., Lichtwarck-Aschoff, A., Engels, R. C., Lobel, A., Merry, S. N., ... & Granic, I. (2016). A randomized controlled trial comparing two cognitive-behavioral programs for adolescent girls with subclinical depression: a school-based program (Op Volle Kracht) and a computerized program (SPARX). Behaviour research and therapy, 80, 33-42.
Fleming, T., Merry, S., Stasiak, K., Hopkins, S., Patolo, T., Ruru, S., ... & Goodyear-Smith, F. (2019). The importance of user segmentation for designing digital therapy for adolescent mental health: findings from scoping processes. JMIR mental health, 6(5), e12656.
User Feedback and Program Improvements
Fleming, T. M., Stasiak, K., Moselen, E., Hermansson-Webb, E., Shepherd, M., Lucassen, M., & Merry, S. N. (2019). Revising computerized therapy for wider appeal among adolescents: youth perspectives on a revised version of SPARX. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10.
Lucassen, M. F., Stasiak, K., Fleming, T., Shepherd, M., & Merry, S. N. (2023). Enhancing an online cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for depression: Harnessing the feedback of sexual and gender minority youth to help improve SPARX. Australasian Psychiatry, 10398562231153061.
Fleming, T., Merry, S., Stasiak, K., Hopkins, S., Patolo, T., Ruru, S., ... & Goodyear-Smith, F. (2019). The importance of user segmentation for designing digital therapy for adolescent mental health: findings from scoping processes. JMIR mental health, 6(5), e12656.
Technology and Innovation
Fleming, T., Lucassen, M., Stasiak, K., Sutcliffe, K., & Merry, S. (2021). Technology Matters: SPARX–computerised cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescent depression in a game format. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 26(1), 92-94.
Kuosmanen, T., Fleming, T. M., Newell, J., & Barry, M. M. (2017). A pilot evaluation of the SPARX-R gaming intervention for preventing depression and improving wellbeing among adolescents in alternative education. Internet Interventions, 8, 40-47.
Fleming, T., Bavin, L., Lucassen, M., Stasiak, K., Hopkins, S., & Merry, S. (2018). Beyond the trial: systematic review of real-world uptake and engagement with digital self-help interventions for depression, low mood, or anxiety. Journal of medical Internet research, 20(6), e199.
Lucassen, M. F. G., Perry, Y., Stasiak, K., Shepherd, M., Frampton, C., Fleming TM. Intersex adolescents seeking help for their depression: the case study of SPARX in New Zealand. Sage Journals Australasian Psychiatry.
Global Adaptations
Khan, K., Hall, C.L., Babbage, C., Dodzo, S., Greenhalgh, C., Lucassen, M., Merry, S., Sayal, K., Sprange, K., Stasiak, K. and Tench, C.R. (2024). Precision computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) for adolescents with depression: a pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial protocol for SPARX-UK. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 10(1), p.53.
Cheek C, Bridgman H, Fleming T, Cummings E, Ellis L, Lucassen MF, Shepherd M, Skinner T. (2014). Views of young people in rural Australia on SPARX, a fantasy world developed for New Zealand youth with depression. JMIR Serious Games. 2(1) .
Fleming, T., Lucassen, M., Stasiak, K., Shepherd, M., & Merry, S. (2016). The impact and utility of computerised therapy for educationally alienated teenagers: The views of adolescents who participated in an alternative education-based trial. Clinical Psychologist, 20(2), 94-102.
Lucassen, M. F., Stasiak, K., Fleming, T., Frampton, C., Perry, Y., Shepherd, M., & Merry, S. N. (2021). Computerized cognitive behavioural therapy for gender minority adolescents: Analysis of the real-world implementation of SPARX in New Zealand. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 55(9), 874-882.
Yokomitsu, K., Irie, T., Sekiguchi, M., Shimizu, A., Matsuoka, H., Merry, S. N., & Stasiak, K. (2020). Gamified mobile computerized cognitive behavioral therapy for Japanese university students with depressive
Research on SPARX’s success in clinical trials, especially in reducing depression.
Merry, S. N., Stasiak, K., Shepherd, M., Frampton, C., Fleming, T., & Lucassen, M. F. G. (2012). The effectiveness of SPARX, a computerised self-help intervention for adolescents seeking help for depression: Randomised controlled non-inferiority trial. BMJ, 344.
Fleming, T., Dixon, R., Frampton, C., & Merry, S. (2012). A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of computerized CBT (SPARX) for symptoms of depression among adolescents excluded from mainstream education. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 40(5), 529-541.
Yokomitsu, K., Irie, T., Sekiguchi, M., Shimizu, A., Matsuoka, H., Merry, S. N., & Stasiak, K. (2020). Gamified mobile computerized cognitive behavioral therapy for Japanese university students with depressive symptoms: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 9(4).
Poppelaars, M., Tak, Y. R., Lichtwarck-Aschoff, A., Engels, R. C., Lobel, A., Merry, S. N., ... & Granic, I. (2016). A randomized controlled trial comparing two cognitive-behavioral programs for adolescent girls with subclinical depression: a school-based program (Op Volle Kracht) and a computerized program (SPARX). Behaviour research and therapy, 80, 33-42.
Research on SPARX’s use across various cultural and demographic groups.
Shepherd, M., Fleming, T., Lucassen, M., Stasiak, K., Lambie, I., & Merry, S. (2015). The design and relevance of a computerized gamified depression therapy program for indigenous Māori adolescents. JMIR Serious Games, 3(1).
Lucassen, M. F. G., Perry, Y., Stasiak, K., Shepherd, M., Frampton, C., Fleming TM. Intersex adolescents seeking help for their depression: the case study of SPARX in New Zealand. Sage Journals Australasian Psychiatry.
Lucassen, M. F., Stasiak, K., Fleming, T., Frampton, C., Perry, Y., Shepherd, M., & Merry, S. N. (2021). Computerized cognitive behavioural therapy for gender minority adolescents: Analysis of the real-world implementation of SPARX in New Zealand. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 55(9), 874-882.
Lucassen, M., Samra, R., Iacovides, I., Fleming, T., Shepherd, M., Stasiak, K., & Wallace, L. (2018). How LGBT+ Young People Use the Internet in Relation to Their Mental Health and Envisage the Use of e-Therapy: Exploratory Study. JMIR Serious Games, 6(4), e11249.
Cheek C, Bridgman H, Fleming T, Cummings E, Ellis L, Lucassen MF, Shepherd M, Skinner T. (2014). Views of young people in rural Australia on SPARX, a fantasy world developed for New Zealand youth with depression. JMIR Serious Games. 2(1)
Publications on SPARX’s role in schools, focusing on students with unique educational needs.
Kuosmanen, T., Fleming, T. M., & Barry, M. M. (2018). The implementation of SPARX-R computerized mental health program in alternative education: Exploring the factors contributing to engagement and dropout. Children and Youth Services Review, 84, 176-184.
Perry, Y., Werner-Seidler, A., Calear, A., Mackinnon, A., King, C., Scott, J., Merry, S., Fleming, T., Stasiak, K., Christensen, H. and Batterham, P.J. (2017). Preventing depression in final year secondary students: School-based randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(11), 11 pages.
Poppelaars, M., Tak, Y. R., Lichtwarck-Aschoff, A., Engels, R. C., Lobel, A., Merry, S. N., ... & Granic, I. (2016). A randomized controlled trial comparing two cognitive-behavioral programs for adolescent girls with subclinical depression: a school-based program (Op Volle Kracht) and a computerized program (SPARX). Behaviour research and therapy, 80, 33-42.
Fleming, T., Merry, S., Stasiak, K., Hopkins, S., Patolo, T., Ruru, S., ... & Goodyear-Smith, F. (2019). The importance of user segmentation for designing digital therapy for adolescent mental health: findings from scoping processes. JMIR mental health, 6(5), e12656.
Studies on user feedback and the resulting updates to SPARX.
Fleming, T. M., Stasiak, K., Moselen, E., Hermansson-Webb, E., Shepherd, M., Lucassen, M., & Merry, S. N. (2019). Revising computerized therapy for wider appeal among adolescents: youth perspectives on a revised version of SPARX. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10.
Lucassen, M. F., Stasiak, K., Fleming, T., Shepherd, M., & Merry, S. N. (2023). Enhancing an online cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for depression: Harnessing the feedback of sexual and gender minority youth to help improve SPARX. Australasian Psychiatry, 10398562231153061.
Fleming, T., Merry, S., Stasiak, K., Hopkins, S., Patolo, T., Ruru, S., ... & Goodyear-Smith, F. (2019). The importance of user segmentation for designing digital therapy for adolescent mental health: findings from scoping processes. JMIR mental health, 6(5), e12656.
Research on SPARX’s technological advancements and digital mental health tools.
Fleming, T., Lucassen, M., Stasiak, K., Sutcliffe, K., & Merry, S. (2021). Technology Matters: SPARX–computerised cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescent depression in a game format. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 26(1), 92-94.
Kuosmanen, T., Fleming, T. M., Newell, J., & Barry, M. M. (2017). A pilot evaluation of the SPARX-R gaming intervention for preventing depression and improving wellbeing among adolescents in alternative education. Internet Interventions, 8, 40-47.
Fleming, T., Bavin, L., Lucassen, M., Stasiak, K., Hopkins, S., & Merry, S. (2018). Beyond the trial: systematic review of real-world uptake and engagement with digital self-help interventions for depression, low mood, or anxiety. Journal of medical Internet research, 20(6), e199.
Lucassen, M. F. G., Perry, Y., Stasiak, K., Shepherd, M., Frampton, C., Fleming TM. Intersex adolescents seeking help for their depression: the case study of SPARX in New Zealand. Sage Journals Australasian Psychiatry.
Studies on SPARX’s adaptation and impact in different countries or cultures.
Khan, K., Hall, C.L., Babbage, C., Dodzo, S., Greenhalgh, C., Lucassen, M., Merry, S., Sayal, K., Sprange, K., Stasiak, K. and Tench, C.R. (2024). Precision computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) for adolescents with depression: a pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial protocol for SPARX-UK. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 10(1), p.53.
Cheek C, Bridgman H, Fleming T, Cummings E, Ellis L, Lucassen MF, Shepherd M, Skinner T. (2014). Views of young people in rural Australia on SPARX, a fantasy world developed for New Zealand youth with depression. JMIR Serious Games. 2(1) .
Fleming, T., Lucassen, M., Stasiak, K., Shepherd, M., & Merry, S. (2016). The impact and utility of computerised therapy for educationally alienated teenagers: The views of adolescents who participated in an alternative education-based trial. Clinical Psychologist, 20(2), 94-102.
Lucassen, M. F., Stasiak, K., Fleming, T., Frampton, C., Perry, Y., Shepherd, M., & Merry, S. N. (2021). Computerized cognitive behavioural therapy for gender minority adolescents: Analysis of the real-world implementation of SPARX in New Zealand. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 55(9), 874-882.
Yokomitsu, K., Irie, T., Sekiguchi, M., Shimizu, A., Matsuoka, H., Merry, S. N., & Stasiak, K. (2020). Gamified mobile computerized cognitive behavioral therapy for Japanese university students with depressive
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