Case series evaluation of wellbeing augmented CBT for depression
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving depression treatment outcomes by better repairing positivity deficits: Case series evaluation of an Augmented Depression Therapy targeting wellbeing (ADepT)
IRAS ID
163179
Contact name
Barnaby Dunn
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN85278228
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Depression is a major public health problem and better talking therapies are needed. Current depression talking therapies are effective at reducing negativity (thinking/feeling sad) but fail to repair positivity (thinking/feeling happy). Given that reduced positivity predicts a severe depression course, treatment outcomes may be improved if talking therapies more successfully build positivity. An augmented form of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) targeting positivity/wellbeing has been developed by the research team , following a co-design process with service users and clinicians. We now propose to conduct a case series evaluation (treating around 10 patients with depression)to evaluate if the treatment is feasible, acceptable to service-users and clinicians and is at least minimally clinically effective in alleviating depression symptoms. This will use a multiple randomised baseline design, where participants are randomised to a pre-intervention monitoring phase of between 3 and 8 weeks. Treatment will last for up to 20 weekly sessions, with a single follow –up session at 3 months. Treatment will be carried out in the Mood Disorders Centre AccEPT clinic – a specialist psychological therapies services commissioned by NewDevon CCG – and will be administered and supervised by experienced cognitive-behavioural therapy clinicians. Outcomes will be assessed using a mixture of self-report questionnaires, structured clinical interviews and qualitative interviews with service-users and therapists. Should the case series meet feasibility, acceptability and efficacy criteria, a further ethics application will be submitted to run a pilot randomised controlled trial comparing the novel treatment to cognitive behavioural therapy for depression (current best practice in the NHS).
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0352
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion