Behavioural activation for mood in dementia v.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of a Guided Behavioural Activation Self-Help Programme for Depression in People with Dementia: A case series – acceptability, feasibility and outcomes.
IRAS ID
169323
Contact name
Sarah Harris
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 17 days
Research summary
Depression is common in people with dementia and is associated with worse quality of life, more cognitive impairment and substantially greater impairment in activities of daily living. Therefore treating co-morbid depression in people with dementia can improve mood and has the potential to improve lives. Currently the evidence base for psychological treatments in this population is limited, with only a small effect size reported. This highlights the need for continued research to developed more effective psychological interventions.
Behavioural activation (BA) is an intervention for depression that aims to increase positive reinforcement from the environment through scheduling activities. Large effect sizes have been reported, and some research shows BA to be equally as effective as cognitive behavioural therapy. BA can also be delivered in a low intensity (LI) guided self-help format, which can improve access to the therapy. Evidence for BA interventions for depression in dementia provides initial support for BA. However, few studies have been conducted and no research has been conducted in the UK or used a LI guided self-help format.
The main aim of this research is to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of a low intensity guided self-help BA programme for depression in dementia. Eight participants with dementia and their informal carers will be recruited through the Exeter Memory Clinic (RD&E). Participants will receive the programme, supported by a therapist in the AccEPT Clinic, University of Exeter, with their carer supporting them through using the programme. Post-programme semi-structured interviews with the dementia participants, carers and therapist(s) will collect acceptability and feasibility data, to informal any adaptations and/or further development of the programme, and to develop a more detailed protocol for delivery. Depression, quality of life and environmental reward measures will be taken pre and post-intervention, with one depression measure every support session, to provide preliminary data on outcome measures.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0001
Date of REC Opinion
23 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion