Comparing the effectiveness of behavioral activation in group vs. self-help format for reducing depression, repetitive thoughts, and enhancing performance of patients with major depressive disorder: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral activation has gained increasing attention as an effective treatment for depression. However, the effectiveness of Behavioral Activation Group Therapy (BAGT) in controlled conditions compared to its self-help programs requires more investigation. The present study aimed to compare their effectiveness on depressive symptoms, repetitive negative thinking (RNT), and performance in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 40 patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) were recruited based on a structured clinical interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5). Participants were allocated to BAGT (n = 20) and self-help behavioral activation (SBA; n = 20) groups. BAGT received ten weekly sessions (90 min), while the SBA group followed the same protocol as the self-help intervention. Participants were evaluated at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and the 2-month follow-up using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), repetitive thinking questionnaire (RTQ-31), and work and social adjustment scale (WSAS). RESULTS: The results of a Mixed ANOVA analysis revealed that participants who underwent BAGT showed significant improvement in depression, rumination, work, and social functioning post-treatment and at the 2-month follow-up. However, the SBA group did not show significant changes in any outcome. The study also found that, based on clinical significance, 68% of the BAGT participants were responsive to treatment, and 31% achieved a high final performance status at the 2-month follow-up. DISCUSSION: BAGT was more effective than SBA in MDD patients. Participants' engagement with self-help treatment is discussed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The present trial has been registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Center (IRCT ID: IRCT20181128041782N1|| http://www.irct.ir/ ) (Registration Date: 04/03/2019).

The effect of individual counseling based on the GATHER principles on perceived stress and empowerment of the mothers with high-risk pregnancies: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: High-risk pregnancy causes different responses, including negative emotions, feelings of vulnerability and psychological stress in the mother. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of individual counseling on the empowerment and the perceived stress of high-risk pregnant mothers. METHODS: This study was a two-group experimental study. The study was performed on 82 high-risk pregnant women hospitalized in Fatemieh Hospital in Hamadan, Iran. Inclusion criteria were high-risk pregnancy, being literate, gestational age 24 to 36 weeks. The samples were divided into experimental and control groups using randomized block design. Data were collected using Cohen's perceived stress scale and Kameda empowerment questionnaires. For the experimental group, four sessions of individual counseling according to GATHER principles (Greet, Ask, Tell, Help, Explain, and Return) were performed for 45-60 minutes for two consecutive weeks. SPSS 25 software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean score of the perceived stress after the intervention in the control and experimental groups were 27.07(5.80) and 25.30(4.95), respectively (P = 0.097). There was a substantial difference in the mean score of empowerment 84.76)9.14) and 88.75 (6.17) (P < 0.001) and different dimensions of empowerment (self-efficacy, Future image, self-esteem, Support and assurance from others) between the control and intervention groups after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate individual counseling is effective in empowering the mothers with high-risk pregnancy but has no significant effect on their perceived stress.

Factors affecting substance use relapse among Iranian addicts.

BACKGROUND: Substance use relapse after treatment is one of the most important aspects of addiction. The present study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the substance use relapse among Iranian addicts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 on 396 addicts referring to the addiction treatment centers in Hamadan, who were selected using a cluster random sampling method. The data were collected by a two-section questionnaire (demographic variables and risk factors for substance abuse recurrence). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The participants' mean (standard deviation) age was 36.56 (8.8) years, and 84.6% of the participants had a history of relapse. The logistic regression analysis revealed that marital status (odds ratio [OR] = 2.594; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.472-4.570), personal willingness (OR = 8.186; 95% CI: 1.875-35.738), pleasure (OR = 2.738; 95% CI: 1.122-6.679), drug availability (OR = 3.392; 95% CI: 1.023-11.247), family disputes (OR = 4.583; 95% CI: 1.345-15.609), an addicted friend (OR = 2.693; 95% CI: 1.014-7.157), and close addicted relatives (OR = 3.513;95% CI: 1.193-10.348) were the main predictors of addiction relapse (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed the effect of several factors (namely demographic, individual, interpersonal, environmental, and behavioral) on the substance use relapse. Accordingly, designing and implementing some interventions based on the findings of the present study may contribute to preventing substance use relapse.

Emotion regulation therapy for social anxiety disorder: a single case series study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the vast majority of evidence indicating the efficacy of traditional and recent cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) therapies in treating social anxiety disorder (SAD), some individuals with SAD do not improve by these interventions, particularly when co-morbidity is present. AIMS: It is not clear how emotion regulation therapy (ERT) can improve SAD co-morbid with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression. This study investigated this gap. METHOD: Treatment efficacy was assessed using a single case series methodology. Four clients with SAD co-occurring with GAD and depression symptoms received a 16-session version of ERT in weekly individual sessions. During the treatment, self-report measures and clinician ratings were used to assess the symptom intensity, model-related variables, and quality of life, work and social adjustment of participants every other week throughout the treatment. Follow-up was also conducted at 1, 2 and 3 months after treatment. Data were analysed using visual analysis, effect size (Cohen's d) and percentage of improvement. RESULTS: SAD clients with depression and GAD symptoms demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvements in symptom severity, quality of life, work, social adjustment and model-related measures (i.e. negative emotionality/safety motivation, emotion regulation strategies). The improvements were largely maintained during the follow-up period and increased for some variables. CONCLUSION: These findings showed preliminary evidence for the role of emotion dysregulation and motivational factors in the aetiology and maintenance of SAD and the efficacy of ERT in the treatment of co-morbid SAD.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Opium Craving, Depression, and Anxiety: A Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVES: Transcranial direct current stimulation can be effective in reducing the craving for food, alcohol, and methamphetamine. Because its effects have not been tested on patients with opium use disorder, we investigated its efficacy when it is combined with a standard methadone maintenance therapy protocol. METHODS: We carried out a pretest-posttest control group method to evaluate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation at the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (right anodal/left cathodal) on opium craving, depression, and anxiety symptoms. We considered opium craving as a primary outcome as well as depression and anxiety symptoms as secondary outcomes. Sixty participants with opium use disorder were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n = 20 for each group): (1) an active transcranial direct current stimulation with methadone maintenance treatment (active tDCS group), (2) sham transcranial direct current stimulation with methadone maintenance treatment (sham tDCS group), and (3) only methadone maintenance treatment (methadone maintenance treatment group). All participants completed the Desire for Drug Questionnaire, Obsessive-Compulsive Drug Use Scale, Beck Depression Inventory II, and Beck Anxiety Inventory a week before and a week after the treatment. The outcomes were assessed by independent assessors who were blind to the treatment conditions. RESULTS: The active tDCS group had a significant reduction in opium craving, depression, and anxiety symptoms compared with the other 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide a preliminary support for using the transcranial direct current stimulation along with methadone maintenance therapy in the treatment of patients with opium use disorder.

The influence of patients' attributions of the immediate effects of treatment of depression on long-term effectiveness of behavioural activation and antidepressant medication.

Patients' attributions of effects of treatment are important, as these can affect long-term outcome. Most studies so far focused on the influence of attributions to medication for anxiety and depression disorders. We investigated the effects of patients' attributions made after acute treatment on the long-term outcome of antidepressant medication (ADM) and psychological treatment (behavioural activation, BA). Data are based on a randomized trial testing the effectiveness of BA vs. ADM for major depression (MDD) in Iran. Patients with MDD (N = 100) were randomized to BA (N = 50) or ADM (N = 50). Patients' attributions were assessed at post-test (after completion of the treatments). Scores on an attribution questionnaire were factor analysed, and factor scores were retained as predictors of depressive symptoms at 1-year follow-up. Regression analysis was used to test whether attributions predicted depressive symptoms at 1-yr follow-up, controlling for symptom level, condition, and their interaction at post-test. Belief in coping efficacy was the only attribution factor significantly predicting 1-year HRSD scores, controlling for condition, post-test HRSD and their interaction. It also mediated the condition differences at follow-up. Credit to self was the single attribution factor that predicted BDI follow-up scores, controlling for condition, posttest BDI, and their interaction. It partially mediated the condition differences on the BDI at follow-up. Attribution to increased coping capacities and giving credit to self appear essential. In the long-term (at 1 year follow-up), the difference in outcome between BA and ADM (with BA being superior to ADM) is at least partially mediated by attributions.

The influence of patients' preference/attitude towards psychotherapy and antidepressant medication on the treatment of major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Preferences and attitudes patients hold towards treatment are important, as these can influence treatment outcome. In depression research, the influence of patients' preference/attitudes on outcome and dropout has mainly been studied for antidepressant medication, and less for psychological treatments. We investigated the effects of patients' preference and attitudes towards psychological treatment and antidepressant medication on treatment outcome and dropout, and tested specificity of effects. METHODS: Data are based on a randomized trial testing the effectiveness of behavioural activation (BA) vs antidepressant medication (ADM) for major depression (MDD) in Iran. Patients with MDD (N = 100) were randomized to BA (N = 50) or ADM (N = 50). Patients' preference/attitudes towards psychotherapy and ADM were assessed at baseline and associated with dropout and treatment outcome using logistic regression and multilevel analysis. RESULTS: High scores on psychotherapy preference/attitude and low scores on ADM preference/attitude predicted dropout from ADM, while no association between dropout and preference/attitude was found in BA. Psychotherapy preference/attitude moderated the differential effect of BA and ADM on one outcome measure, but the association disappeared after one year. LIMITATIONS: Because in Iran most patients have only access to ADM, offering a psychological treatment for depression could attract especially those patients that prefer this newly available treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' preferences and attitudes towards depression treatments influence dropout from ADM, and moderate the short-term difference in effectiveness between BA and ADM. The fact that dropout from BA was not affected by preference/attitude speaks for its acceptability among patients.

The influence of comorbid personality disorder on the effects of behavioural activation vs. antidepressant medication for major depressive disorder: results from a randomized trial in Iran.

There is a disagreement about the impact of personality disorder (PD) on treatment outcome for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). 100 out-patients with MDD were randomized to 16 sessions of behavioural activation (BA) (n = 50) or antidepressant medication (ADM) (n = 50) in Iran. Main outcome was depression severity, measured with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), and assessed at 0, 4, 13 and 49 weeks. Participants with comorbid PDs had higher scores on BDI and HRSD at baseline and throughout the study than participants without comorbid PD. Patients with and without comorbid personality pathology responded equally to treatment on the short-and the long-term. Overall, BA was better in reducing symptoms in patients but this effect was not influenced by comorbid PD. Similar effects were found for a dimensional PD-measure. Only cluster-C PD-traits turned out to be associated with overall depression severity. Cluster-A PD-traits predicted poorer long-term treatment response to ADM and BA, but only on the BDI, not on the HRSD. No effects of cluster-B PD-traits were found. However, PD was associated with higher dropout. The general conclusion is that comorbid PD pathology, especially from cluster-C, is associated with higher depression severity, but not with less response to treatment. Comorbid PD did predict increased chance of dropout.

Behavioural activation v. antidepressant medication for treating depression in Iran: randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Behavioural activation might be a viable alternative to antidepressant medication for major depressive disorder. AIMS: To compare the effectiveness of behavioural activation and treatment as usual (TAU, antidepressant medication) for major depressive disorder in routine clinical practice in Iran. METHOD: Patients with major depressive disorder (n = 100) were randomised to 16 sessions of behavioural activation (n = 50) or antidepressant medication (n = 50) (IRCT138807192573N1). The main outcome was depression, measured with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), assessed at 0, 4, 13 and 49 weeks. RESULTS: Symptom reduction was greater in the behavioural activation group than in the TAU group on both the BDI and the HRSD at 13 and 49 weeks in multilevel analysis. Baseline depression severity was a moderator, with relatively better effects for behavioural activation in individuals who were more severely depressed. Also, there was better retention in the behavioural activation than in the TAU group. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioural activation is a viable and effective treatment for people with major depressive disorder, especially for those who are more severely depressed, and it can successfully be disseminated into routine practice settings in a non-Western country such as Iran.