Dismantling the relative effectiveness of core components of cognitive behavioural therapy in preventing depression in adolescents: protocol of a cluster randomized microtrial

Digital cognitive-behavioural therapy application compared with zolpidem for the treatment of insomnia: protocol for an exploratory randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Insomnia is a common health problem and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended as a treatment. As there is a critical shortage of CBT-trained therapists, we developed a digital CBT application (IIIP MED: Sleepy Med) as Software as a Medical Device for insomnia. This paper describes the study protocol for an exploratory randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate effectiveness and safety of our developed digital CBT (dCBT) for 5 weeks compared with zolpidem tartrate for patients with insomnia disorder.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This proposed multicentre exploratory RCT will be conducted at the outpatient clinic of Chiba University Hospital, Akita University Hospital and Yoyogi Sleep Disorder Center, Japan. The study population comprises two parallel groups (dCBT and zolpidem) consisting of 15 participants each (n=30 in total) diagnosed with insomnia disorder who remain symptomatic at 4 weeks after sleep hygiene education. We will evaluate the effectiveness at baseline, week 5 (post-intervention) and week 10 (follow-up). The primary outcome will be the change of subjective sleep onset latency at week 5 from baseline. Secondary outcomes include sleep-related outcomes, such as objective sleep onset latency measured by mobile electroencephalography, functional improvement during the daytime and quality of life.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board of Chiba University Hospital (K2023001). All participants will be required to provide written informed consent. Results will be published in international journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

jRCT2032230353.

Evaluation of an Integrated Fluency and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Adolescents and Adults Who Stutter

PURPOSE

Developmental stuttering is a complex and multifaceted neurodevelopmental disorder that may cause pervasive negative consequences for adults who stutter (AWS). Historically, intervention for AWS has primarily addressed speech fluency, with less focus on the covert psychosocial aspects of the disorder. The purpose of this article is to report on a feasibility trial evaluating a novel integrated intervention that combines traditional stuttering management techniques with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for AWS.

METHOD

Twenty-nine AWS participated in the feasibility trial. All participants successfully completed a combined fluency and ACT intervention, titled the fluency and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Stuttering (fACTS) Program. As this was a feasibility study, no control group was included. Intervention was administered by two certified practicing speech-language pathologists, over eight 60- to 90-min sessions.

RESULTS

Generalized linear mixed modeling was used to determine change from pre- to post-intervention and follow-up. Significant pre- and post-intervention improvements in self-efficacy, psychosocial functioning, and psychological flexibility were observed, along with significant reductions in observable stuttering behaviors (i.e., stuttered speech frequency). Intervention gains for all variables of interest were maintained 3 and 6 months post-intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The fACTS Program was created to be a holistic and flexible intervention to promote self-efficacy beliefs and address stuttering-related psychosocial impacts and speech fluency goals of AWS. Preliminary results indicated positive improvement in all psychosocial outcomes (i.e., self-efficacy, psychosocial impact, and psychological flexibility) and observable speech fluency following completion of the program. Future clinical trials of the fACTS Program with an included control group will further investigate the mechanisms of change for the positive effects observed.

Evaluating Effect Moderators in Cognitive Versus Behavioral Based CBT-Modules and Sequences Towards Preventing Adolescent Depression

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate age group, gender, and baseline depressive symptom severity as possible effect moderators in (1) cognitive versus behavioral based CBT-modules and (2) sequences of modules that started either with cognitive or behavioral modules in indicated depression prevention in adolescents.

METHOD

We conducted a pragmatic cluster-randomized trial under four parallel conditions. Each condition consisted of four CBT-modules of three sessions (cognitive restructuring, problem solving, behavioral activation, relaxation), but the sequencing of modules differed. The CBT-modules and sequences were clustered into more cognitive versus more behavioral based approaches. The sample involved 282 Dutch adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms (Mage = 13.8; 55.7% girls, 92.9% Dutch). Assessments were conducted at baseline, after three sessions, at post-intervention and 6-month follow-up with self-reported depressive symptoms as the primary outcome.

RESULTS

We found no evidence for substantial moderation effects. Age group, gender, and depressive symptom severity level at baseline did not moderate the effects of cognitive versus behavioral modules after three sessions. No evidence was also found that these characteristics moderated the effectiveness of sequences of modules that started either with cognitive or behavioral modules at post-intervention and 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Cognitive and behavioral based modules and sequences in the prevention of depression in adolescents might apply to a relatively wide range of adolescents in terms of age group, gender, and severity levels of depressive symptoms.Abbreviation: CDI-2:F: Children's Depression Inventory-2 Full-length version; CDI-2:S: Children's Depression Inventory-2 Short version; STARr: Solve, Think, Act, Relax, and repeat.

Societal costs of subclinical depressive symptoms in Dutch adolescents: a cost-of-illness study

BACKGROUND

Subclinical depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among adolescents and are associated with negative consequences, which may pose an economic burden for society. We conducted a prevalence-based cost-of-illness study using a societal perspective to investigate the cost-of-illness of subclinical depressive symptoms among adolescents.

METHODS

Using a bottom-up approach, cost questionnaires were assessed to measure costs from 237 Dutch families with an adolescent aged 11-18 with subclinical depressive symptoms (of which 34 met the criteria of a depressive disorder). The study is registered in the Dutch Trial Register (Trial NL5584/NTR6176; www.trialregister.nl/trial/5584).

RESULTS

Our calculations show that adolescents with subclinical depressive symptoms cost the Dutch society more than €42 million annually, expressed in costs related to depressive symptoms. Secondary analyses were performed to test the reliability and stability of the costs. When costs related to psychological problems were considered, the annual costs amounted to €67 million. The total societal costs related to physical problems amounted to approximately €126 million. All costs combined (depressive, psychological, behavioural and physical problems and other reasons) amounted to a €243 million. Total costs were highest for physical-related problems of the adolescent (52% of the total costs), followed by psychological (28%), depressive (17%) and behavioural problems (1%). Using an international prevalence rate, societal costs related to depressive symptoms resulted in €54 million a year.

CONCLUSIONS

Cost-effective prevention programmes seem warranted given the high societal costs and risk of future costs as subclinical depressive symptoms could be a precursor of clinical depression later in life.

Examining cognitive-behavioral therapy change mechanisms for decreasing depression, weight, and insulin resistance in adolescent girls at risk for type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Depression in adolescence is linked to risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to a control program to ameliorate insulin resistance via reducing depression symptoms, we examine which CBT change mechanisms (e.g., behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring) contributed to decreased depression and subsequent improvements in body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, and insulin resistance.

METHODS

Girls 12-17y with overweight/obesity and family history of T2D were randomized to six-week group CBT (n = 61) or health education (HealthEd; n = 58). At baseline and post-treatment, adolescents completed questionnaires assessing activities, thoughts, and depression symptoms. At baseline, post-treatment, and one-year, BMI was calculated and insulin outcomes were derived from two-hour oral glucose tolerance testing. At baseline and one-year, percent body fat was assessed with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Indirect effects of CBT components were tested on one-year changes in BMI, percent body fat, and insulin indices through decreases in depression symptoms during treatment. Intervention was tested as a moderator.

RESULTS

In CBT, but not HealthEd, there was an indirect effect of increased physical activity during treatment on decreased one-year BMI via reductions in depression symptoms during treatment. Also, there were conditional indirect effects in CBT of increased pleasantness of physical and social activity during treatment on decreased one-year BMI via decreased depression symptoms during treatment.

CONCLUSION

Behavioral activation may be a useful intervention to decrease depression and reduce excess weight gain in the targeted prevention of T2D in at-risk adolescent girls. NCT01425905, clinicaltrials.gov.

Using network intervention analysis to explore associations between participant expectations of and difficulties with cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and clinical outcome: A proof of principle study

BACKGROUND

Research about predictors of response to cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is ongoing. We examined any whether pre-intervention expectations or post-intervention appraisals of difficulties in utilizing face to face (FtF) or digital (dCBT-I) versions of the therapy were associated with outcome.

METHODS

Self-rating data were extracted on 101 adult participants in a recent randomized controlled trial of FtF versus dCBT-I. Network intervention analyses were used to explore any associations between expectations of CBT-I at response at 9 weeks and between post-intervention ratings of difficulties, modality of therapy and response at 9-weeks and at 6-months.

RESULTS

Anticipated and actual difficulties in employing sleep restriction techniques predicted response in all network models. Modality of therapy played a more overt role in the 9-week outcome network, with FtF therapy more robustly associated with response. However, the direct association between FtF therapy and response was not found in the 6-month outcome network. Notable predictors of poor outcome at 9-weeks and 6-month follow-up were difficulties in accommodating CBT-I into work and daily routines and applying the rules of CBT-I.

CONCLUSIONS

This network intervention analysis highlights that self-confidence and ability in undertaking sleep restriction is a key active ingredient of CBT-I. Also, benefits and gains from access to the FtF version of this multi-component therapy were more apparent in the short than the longer term. However, it is important that findings from this proof of principle study are confirmed in further studies.

Relative Effectiveness of CBT-Components and Sequencing in Indicated Depression Prevention for Adolescents: A Cluster-Randomized Microtrial

OBJECTIVE

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was dismantled into four modules of three sessions each: cognitive restructuring (Think), behavioral activation (Act), problem solving (Solve) and relaxation (Relax). We investigated the modules' relative effectiveness in indicated depression prevention for adolescents and examined variations in sequencing of these modules.

METHOD

We performed a pragmatic cluster-randomized microtrial with four parallel conditions: (1) Think-Act-Relax-Solve (n = 14 clusters, n = 81 participants); (2) Act-Think-Relax-Solve (n = 13, n = 69); (3) Solve-Act-Think-Relax (n = 13, n = 77); and (4) Relax-Solve-Act-Think (n = 12, n = 55). The sample consisted of 282 Dutch adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms (M_age = 13.8; 55.7% girls, 92.9% Dutch). In total 52 treatment groups were randomized as a cluster. Assessments were conducted at baseline, after each module and at 6-month follow-up with depressive symptoms as primary outcome.

RESULTS

None of the modules (Think, Act, Solve, Relax) was associated with a significant decrease in depressive symptoms after three sessions and no significant differences in effectiveness were found between the modules. All sequences of modules were associated with a significant decrease in depressive symptoms at post-intervention, except the sequence Relax-Solve-Act-Think. At 6-month follow-up, all sequences showed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms. No significant differences in effectiveness were found between the sequences at post-intervention and 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of the CBT technique provided, one module of three sessions may not be sufficient to reduce depressive symptoms. The sequence in which the CBT components cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, problem solving and relaxation are offered, does not appear to significantly influence outcomes at post- intervention or 6-month follow-up.

ABBREVIATIONS

CDI-2:F: Children's Depression Inventory-2 Full-length version; CDI-2:S: Children's Depression Inventory-2 Short version; STARr: Solve, Think, Act, Relax and repeat.

Problem-solving training as an active ingredient of treatment for youth depression: a scoping review and exploratory meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Problem-solving training is a common ingredient of evidence-based therapies for youth depression and has shown effectiveness as a versatile stand-alone intervention in adults. This scoping review provided a first overview of the evidence supporting problem solving as a mechanism for treating depression in youth aged 14 to 24 years.

METHODS

Five bibliographic databases (APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science) and the grey literature were systematically searched for controlled trials of stand-alone problem-solving therapy; secondary analyses of trial data exploring problem-solving-related concepts as predictors, moderators, or mediators of treatment response within broader therapies; and clinical practice guidelines for youth depression. Following the scoping review, an exploratory meta-analysis examined the overall effectiveness of stand-alone problem-solving therapy.

RESULTS

Inclusion criteria were met by four randomized trials of problem-solving therapy (524 participants); four secondary analyses of problem-solving-related concepts as predictors, moderators, or mediators; and 23 practice guidelines. The only clinical trial rated as having a low risk of bias found problem-solving training helped youth solve personal problems but was not significantly more effective than the control at reducing emotional symptoms. An exploratory meta-analysis showed a small and non-significant effect on self-reported depression or emotional symptoms (Hedges' g = - 0.34; 95% CI: - 0.92 to 0.23) with high heterogeneity. Removing one study at high risk of bias led to a decrease in effect size and heterogeneity (g = - 0.08; 95% CI: - 0.26 to 0.10). A GRADE appraisal suggested a low overall quality of the evidence. Tentative evidence from secondary analyses suggested problem-solving training might enhance outcomes in cognitive-behavioural therapy and family therapy, but dedicated dismantling studies are needed to corroborate these findings. Clinical practice guidelines did not recommend problem-solving training as a stand-alone treatment for youth depression, but five mentioned it as a treatment ingredient.

CONCLUSIONS

On its own, problem-solving training may be beneficial for helping youth solve personal challenges, but it may not measurably reduce depressive symptoms. Youth experiencing elevated depressive symptoms may require more comprehensive psychotherapeutic support alongside problem-solving training. High-quality studies are needed to examine the effectiveness of problem-solving training as a stand-alone approach and as a treatment ingredient.