An Internet-Based Intervention for Depressive Symptoms: Preliminary Data on the Contribution of Behavioral Activation and Positive Psychotherapy Strategies

2019 ◽  
pp. 129-146
Author(s):  
Sonia Romero ◽  
Adriana Mira ◽  
Juana Bretón-Lopez ◽  
Amanda Díaz-García ◽  
Laura Díaz-Sanahuja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Preliminary Data ◽  
Behavioral Activation ◽  
Positive Psychotherapy ◽  
Internet Based Intervention

scholarly journals A randomized controlled trial on a self-guided Internet-based intervention for gambling problems

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Bücker ◽  
Josefine Gehlenborg ◽  
Steffen Moritz ◽  
Stefan Westermann
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gambling Problems ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Internet Based Intervention

AbstractThe majority of individuals with problematic and pathological gambling remain untreated, and treatment barriers are high. Internet-based interventions can help to address existing barriers, and first studies suggest their potential for this target group. Within a randomized controlled trial (N = 150) with two assessment times (baseline and post-intervention), we aimed to investigate the feasibility, acceptance, and effectiveness of a self-guided Internet-based intervention targeted at gambling problems. We expected a significant reduction in gambling symptoms (primary outcome) and depressive symptoms as well gambling-specific dysfunctional thoughts (secondary outcomes) in the intervention group (IG) compared to a wait-list control group with access to treatment-as-usual (control group, CG) after the intervention period of 8 weeks. Results of the complete cases, per protocol, intention-to-treat (ITT), and frequent user analyses showed significant improvements in both groups for primary and secondary outcomes but no significant between-group differences (ITT primary outcome, F(1,147) = .11, p = .739, ηp2 < .001). Moderation analyses indicated that individuals in the IG with higher gambling and depressive symptoms, older age, and comorbid anxiety symptoms showed significant improvement relative to the CG. The intervention was positively evaluated (e.g., 96.5% rated the program as useful). Possible reasons for the nonsignificant between-group differences are discussed. Future studies should include follow-up assessments and larger samples to address limitations of the present study. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03372226), http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03372226, date of registration (13/12/2017).

A randomized study on the effect of modified behavioral activation treatment for depressive symptoms in rural left-behind elderly

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 372-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianfei Xie ◽  
Guoping He ◽  
Siqing Ding ◽  
Chen Pan ◽  
Xia Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Behavioral Activation ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Left Behind

scholarly journals Telephone-based Behavioral Activation with Mental Imagery for depression: a pilot randomized clinical trial in isolated older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny Pellas ◽  
Fritz Renner ◽  
Julie Lin Ji ◽  
Mattias Damberg
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Mental Imagery ◽  
Treatment Condition ◽  
Behavioral Activation ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Increased Risk

ObjectivesTo shield vulnerable persons, particularly the eldery, during the Covid-19 pandemic governments around the world have adviced to use social distancing and self-isolation. Social isolation might put older adults at an increased risk for mental health problems such as depression. There is a need for brief, easy-accessible psychological treatments for depressive symptoms that can be delivered remotely. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of telephone-delivered Behavioral Activation with Mental Imagery for the treatment of depressive symptoms in individuals 65 years and older living in isolation during the covid-19-pandemic.MethodsIn this open-label pilot randomized clinical trial, N = 41 individuals aged 65 years or older with clinically significant symptoms of depression were randomly assigned to either a Behavioral Activation with Mental Imagery treatment condition, or an Attention-Assessment control condition delivered over the telephone over a four week period.ResultsDepressive symptoms decreased more in the treatment condition compared to the control condition. At post treatment 2 out of 16 participants in the treatment condition met diagnostic criteria for depression compared to 9 out of 13 in the control condition. Most participants in the treatment condition were satisfied with the treatment and few adverse effects were observed.ConclusionsThis pilot study suggests that behavioral activation with mental imagery delivered over the telephone is feasible, acceptable and potentially efficacious for the treatment of depressive symptoms in older individuals living in isolation. Replication in larger samples is needed.

scholarly journals Use of Passive Sensing in Psychotherapy Studies in Late Life: A Pilot Example, Opportunities and Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihui Lee ◽  
Nili Solomonov ◽  
Samprit Banerjee ◽  
George S. Alexopoulos ◽  
Jo Anne Sirey
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Behavioral Activation ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Sensing Data ◽  
Passive Sensing ◽  
Over Time

Late-life depression is heterogenous and patients vary in disease course over time. Most psychotherapy studies measure activity levels and symptoms solely using self-report scales, administered periodically. These scales may not capture granular changes during treatment. We introduce the potential utility of passive sensing data collected with smartphone to assess fluctuations in daily functioning in real time during psychotherapy for late life depression in elder abuse victims. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of passive sensing among depressed elder abuse victims. We present data from three victims who received a 9-week intervention as part of a pilot randomized controlled trial and showed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms (50% reduction). Using a smartphone, we tracked participants' daily number of smartphone unlocks, time spent at home, time spent in conversation, and step count over treatment. Independent assessment of depressive symptoms and behavioral activation were collected at intake, Weeks 6 and 9. Data revealed patient-level fluctuations in activity level over treatment, corresponding with self-reported behavioral activation. We demonstrate how passive sensing data could expand our understanding of heterogenous presentations of late-life depression among elder abuse. We illustrate how trajectories of change in activity levels as measured with passive sensing and subjective measures can be tracked concurrently over time. We outline challenges and potential solutions for application of passive sensing data collection in future studies with larger samples using novel advanced statistical modeling, such as artificial intelligence algorithms.

scholarly journals Brief Web-Based Intervention for Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial on Behavioral Activation (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Jelinek ◽  
Sönke Arlt ◽  
Steffen Moritz ◽  
Johanna Schröder ◽  
Stefan Westermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Behavioral Activation ◽  
Dysfunctional Attitudes ◽  
Patient Health Questionnaire ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Patient Health

BACKGROUND Web-based interventions have been shown to be effective for the treatment of depression. However, interventions are often complex and include a variety of elements, making it difficult to identify the most effective component(s). OBJECTIVE The aim of this pilot study was to shed light on mechanisms in the online treatment of depression by comparing a single-module, fully automated intervention for depression (internet-based behavioral activation [iBA]) to a nonoverlapping active control intervention and a nonactive control group. METHODS We assessed 104 people with at least mild depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, &gt;4) via the internet at baseline (t<sub>0</sub>) and 2 weeks (t<sub>1</sub>) and 4 weeks (t<sub>2</sub>) later. After the t<sub>0</sub> assessment, participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups: (1) iBA (n=37), (2) active control using a brief internet-based mindfulness intervention (iMBI, n=32), or (3) care as usual (CAU, n=35). The primary outcome was improvement in depressive symptoms, as measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Secondary parameters included changes in activity, dysfunctional attitudes, and quality of life RESULTS While groups did not differ regarding the change in depression from t<sub>0</sub> to t<sub>1</sub> (η<sub>p</sub><sup>2</sup>=.007, <i>P</i>=.746) or t<sub>0</sub> to t<sub>2</sub> (η<sub>p</sub><sup>2</sup>=.008, <i>P</i>=.735), iBA was associated with a larger decrease in dysfunctional attitudes from t<sub>0</sub> to t<sub>2</sub> in comparison to CAU (η<sub>p</sub><sup>2</sup>=.053, <i>P</i>=.04) and a larger increase in activity from t<sub>0</sub> to t<sub>1</sub> than the pooled control groups (η<sub>p</sub><sup>2</sup>=.060, <i>P</i>=.02). A change in depression from t<sub>0</sub> to t<sub>2</sub> was mediated by a change in activity from t<sub>0</sub> to t<sub>1</sub>. At t<sub>1</sub>, 22% (6/27) of the participants in the iBA group and 12% (3/25) of the participants in the iMBI group indicated that they did not use the intervention. CONCLUSIONS Although we did not find support for the short-term efficacy of the single-module iBA regarding depression, long-term effects are still conceivable, potentially initiated by changes in secondary outcomes. Future studies should use a longer intervention and follow-up interval. CLINICALTRIAL DKRS (#DRKS00011562)

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