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Developing and Piloting ePACT: A Flexible Psychological Treatment for Depression in People Living With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2012

Christine Migliorini*
Affiliation:
Centre for Developmental Psychiatry & Psychology, Monash University, Australia. [email protected]
Bruce Tonge
Affiliation:
School of Psychology & Psychiatry, Monash University, Australia.
Andrew Sinclair
Affiliation:
Psychology & Counselling Services, Independence Australia, Melbourne, Australia.
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr Christine Migliorini, Centre for Developmental Psychiatry & Psychology, Monash University, PO Box 1030, Clayton South VIC 3169, Australia.
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Abstract

Accessibility, stigma and adverse effects of self-reliance can hinder the receipt of psychological treatments, especially in people living with chronic illness or disability. The aim of this study was to develop and pilot a flexible online psychological treatment using CBT and positive-psychology based techniques, for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who also lived with depression or both depression and anxiety. A multiple case study approach provided in-principle evidence of the acceptability of the Electronic Personal Administration of Cognitive Therapy: ePACT. Three adults living with SCI completed pre- and post-intervention interviews and multiple modules of ePACT. The interviews used the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID/-N/P) for diagnosis and the standardised survey instruments: Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale — short version (DASS-21), Personal Wellbeing Index 4th edition (PWI) and the Spinal Cord Lesion Emotional Wellbeing Questionnaire (SCL EWQ v1 Australia). The results indicated that the online program was acceptable, and they all showed some improvement in symptoms. All participants indicated that they would not have sought face-to-face therapy for reasons of access and stigma. They all had a strong sense of independence and felt this would have been questioned if they sought therapy.

Type
Standard Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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