A pilot study by the University of Exeter shows that augmented depression therapy (ADepT) may be a more effective and cost-effective approach to treating depression than cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). ADepT focuses on both reducing symptoms of depression and increasing feelings of well-being, showing potential benefits in quality of life compared to CBT.
A promising new treatment for depression has demonstrated initial results that suggest it may be more effective and cost-effective than the current gold standard, CBT.
A promising new treatment for depression is considered more cost-effective and potentially more effective than the existing gold standard, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
A pilot study conducted by the University of Exeter and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NIHR) reveals that augmented depression therapy (ADepT) could be a major advance in the treatment of depression. became.The results of this study were recently published in the journal clinical medicine.
Core features of depression are anhedonia (reduced interest or enjoyment) and a lack of a sense of well-being, but current depression psychotherapies such as CBT fail to adequately target these factors. ADepT was developed to pay as much attention to building well-being as it does to reducing symptoms of depression.
Barney Dunn, professor of clinical psychology at the University of Exeter, led the trial and said: “Depression is widespread and a significant cause of disability worldwide, resulting in significant social and economic costs. Recover with current best treatments like CBT. Only about 60 percent of people experience depression, and about half of them relapse within two years. At ADepT, we help clients gain a new perspective on their difficulties and learn how to live successfully with depressed mood. Our primary goal is to help our clients identify what is important to them in key life areas, take steps to live their lives in a way that is consistent with these values, and help our clients have positive experiences. It’s about helping you seize opportunities and meet challenges so that you can be – present and joyful.”
Katie has first-hand experience with ADepT and says: Previously, the focus of my treatment was always on eliminating the symptoms of mental illness. ADepT not only changes my perspective and helps me take steps to achieve happiness, but also allows me to act in a way that is more authentic and in line with my values. I did. ADepT has helped me make decisions that feel right and has given me an identity outside of my mental illness. This is great. Even if I’ve had a difficult week, I can now enjoy the good things in life that give me joy. That really changed for me. ”
This is the first pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of ADepT. Eighty-two adults with moderate to severe depression and exhibiting features of anhedonia participated, primarily from the NHS Talking Therapy (formerly known as Improving Access to Psychotherapy) service in Devon, England. Recruited from waiting list.
Participants received 20 doses of ADepT or CBT, which was carried out at the University of Exeter’s AccEPT clinic and supported by the Devon Partnership NHS Trust, the Exeter Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx) and the University of Exeter School of Psychology. randomly assigned to 1 individual session. Participants were evaluated by researchers at the beginning of the pilot and after 6, 12, and 18 months.
Results suggested that ADepT was no worse than, and may be better than, CBT in building a sense of well-being and reducing depression at the end of treatment and at long-term follow-up. . Results also suggested that ADepT was cost-effective, costing the same amount to provide as CBT but resulting in significantly improved quality of life.
If these findings can be replicated in subsequent final trials, it would suggest that ADepT has the potential to provide both clinical and economic benefits in medical practice. ADepT is designed to allow existing HE CBT therapists to deliver HE ADepT with minimal additional training.
References: “Preliminary clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of augmented depression therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of anhedonia-subtractive depression (ADepT): single-center, open-label, parallel-group, pilot, randomized, “Controlled Trials” Barnaby D. Dunn, Emily Widnall, Laura Warbrick, Faith Warner, Nigel Reid, Alice Price, Merle Koch, Clara Courboin, Rosie Stevens, Kim Wright, Nicholas J. Moberly, Nicole Geschwind, Christabel Owens, Anne Spencer, John Campbell, Willem Kuiken, 13 July 2023 e-clinical medicine.
DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102084
