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Effectiveness of Group Behavioural Activation for Depression: A Pilot Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2017

Stephen Kellett ,
Mel Simmonds-Buckley ,
Paul Bliss  and
Glenn Waller
Stephen Kellett*
Affiliation:
Centre for Psychological Services Research, University of Sheffield, UK and Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, UK
Mel Simmonds-Buckley
Affiliation:
University of Sheffield, UK
Paul Bliss
Affiliation:
University of Sheffield, UK
Glenn Waller
Affiliation:
University of Sheffield, UK
*
Correspondence to Stephen Kellett, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background: The evidence base for behavioural activation (BA) is mainly grounded in the individual delivery method, with much less known about the impact of group delivery. Aims: To conduct a pilot study of behavioural activation in groups (BAG) for depression delivered in a routine service setting, in order to explore acceptability, effectiveness and predictors of outcome. Methods: The manualized group treatment format was delivered in a Primary Care mental health setting, at step three of an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. BAG was facilitated by cognitive behavioural psychotherapists, and outcome measures (depression, anxiety and functional impairment) were taken at each session. Seventy-three participants were referred and treated within nine groups. Results: BAG was an acceptable treatment generating a low drop-out rate (7%). Significant pre–post differences were found across all measures. There was a moderate to large depression effect size (d+ = 0.74), and 20% met the criteria for a reliable recovery in depression. Greater severity of initial depression and attendance of at least four BAG sessions predicted better outcomes. Conclusions: BAG appears to be an effective depression treatment option that shows some clinical promise. Further larger and more controlled studies are nevertheless required.

Keywords

depressionbehavioural activationgroup therapypilotclinical effectivenessIAPT
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 45 , Issue 4 , July 2017 , pp. 401 - 418
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2017 

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