A pilot randomized controlled study explored the feasibility of using Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST) to support the mental health of university students who recently completed counseling. The study involved 74 participants, who were randomly assigned to either the MOST intervention or a control group, with a 2:1 ratio. Participants in the intervention group accessed MOST for 26 weeks, while both groups were assessed at baseline, 12 weeks, and 26 weeks on various mental health outcomes including social and occupational functioning, cognitive function, depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

The study achieved a recruitment target of 3.1 participants per semester month, with a retention rate of 70% at 12 weeks and 66% at 26 weeks. Engagement with the intervention showed that 81% of participants in the intervention group participated for at least five weeks. Results indicated modest improvements in social and cognitive functioning and reduced clinical symptoms in the intervention group at the 12-week mark. The findings suggest that a full randomized controlled trial of MOST is feasible and may be beneficial for supporting youth mental health in higher education settings.