Feasibility of a blended group treatment (bGT) for major depression: Uncontrolled interventional study in a university setting

Autor(en)

Raphael Schuster, Isabell Fichtenbauer, Veronika Sparr, Thomas Berger, Anton-Rupert Laireiter

Abstrakt

Abstract
Objective This study investigated the feasibility of a novel blended (face-to-face and computer-based) group intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms in major depression.

Design Patient-centred uncontrolled interventional study.

Setting University setting in a general community sample. A multimodal recruitment strategy (public health centres and public areas) was applied.

Participants Based on independent interviews, 26 participants, diagnosed with major depressive disorder (81% female; 23% comorbidity >1 and 23% comorbidity >2), entered treatment.

Intervention Acceptance and mindfulness based, as well as self-management and resource-oriented psychotherapy principles served as the theoretical basis for the low-threshold intervention. The blended format included face-to-face sessions, complemented with multimedia presentations and a platform featuring videos, online work sheets, an unguided group chat and remote therapist–patient communication.

Main outcome measures The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire.

Results Large to very large within group effect sizes were found on self-reported depression (F (2, 46.37)=25.69, p<0.001; d=1.80), general health (F (2,46.73)=11.47, p<0.001; d=1.32), personal resources (F (2,43.36)=21.17, p<0.001; d=0.90) and mindfulness (F (2,46.22)=9.40, p<0.001; d=1.12) after a follow-up period of 3 months. Treatment satisfaction was high, and 69% ranked computer and multimedia use as a therapeutic factor. Furthermore, participants described treatment intensification as important advantage of the blended format. Half of the patients (48%) would have preferred more time for personal exchange.

Conclusion The investigated blended group format seems feasible for the reduction of depressive symptoms in major depression. The development of blended interventions can benefit from assuring that highly structured treatments actually meet patients’ needs. As a next step, the intervention should be tested in comparative trials in routine care.

Organisation(en)

Institut für Klinische und Gesundheitspsychologie

Externe Organisation(en)

Medizinische Universität Wien, Universität Bern, Paris-Lodron Universität Salzburg

Journal

BMJ Open

Band

8

Anzahl der Seiten

11

ISSN

2044-6055

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018412

Publikationsdatum

03-2018

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ÖFOS 2012

501010 Klinische Psychologie, 501024 Verhaltenstherapie, 501019 Psychotherapie

Schlagwörter

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Clinical Psychology, Allgemeine Medizin

Link zum Portal

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/f06da20f-4d25-42f3-a1dd-296e8d01da16