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Gros DF, Coyne AE. A comparison of transdiagnostic behavior therapy (TBT) and behavioral activation treatment for depression (BATD) in veterans with major depressive disorder. J Clin Psychol 2022; 78:1009-1019. [PMID: 34935138 PMCID: PMC10034572 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although frequently discussed within the scope of transdiagnostic psychotherapy protocols, limited data are available on their efficacy in patients with a principal diagnosis of major depressive disorder. The present study attempted to address that gap in the literature through a randomized clinical trial comparing transdiagnostic behavior therapy (TBT) to behavioral activation treatment for depression (BATD). METHODS Forty veterans with principal major depressive disorder were randomized into either 12 sessions of individual TBT or BATD, with symptom measures collected at baseline and posttreatment. Process variables for treatment engagement and completion also were recorded. RESULTS Participants reported similar symptom improvements in depression, stress, anhedonia, and impairment across both treatments. Clinician-rated treatment improvements favored TBT. Participants in TBT also attended more appointments, canceled or missed fewer appointments, and completed the protocol at a higher rate than participants that received BATD. CONCLUSIONS The present findings support TBT as an efficacious treatment for principal major depressive disorder, with potentially superior coverage of comorbid anxiety symptomatology and improved treatment adherence and completion compared to BATD. Pending replication in larger samples, TBT and other similar transdiagnostic psychotherapies should be considered for implementation across the anxiety and depressive disorders to simplify dissemination efforts for evidence-based psychotherapies and potentially improve coverage of comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Gros
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Alice E Coyne
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Gros DF, Merrifield C, Hewitt J, Elcock A, Rowa K, McCabe RE. Preliminary Findings for Group Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Affective Disorders Among Youths. Am J Psychother 2020; 74:36-39. [PMID: 32842762 DOI: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20200003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The literature on transdiagnostic psychotherapy among youths is limited. Group transdiagnostic behavior therapy (TBT) has been shown to be effective for adults with affective disorders and may contain beneficial features for youths (e.g., behavioral focus, group format, ease of dissemination, and diversity of targeted diagnoses). This study aimed to investigate group TBT among youths in Canada to determine its feasibility and efficacy. METHODS Twenty participants (ages 16-19) diagnosed as having a principal anxiety disorder completed 12 sessions of group TBT. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and transdiagnostic impairment were assessed pre- and posttreatment. RESULTS Participants demonstrated significant improvements on measures of anxiety (general, cognitive, and somatic) and stress, with moderate effect sizes. Findings for symptoms of depression and transdiagnostic impairment were unreliable, with small effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide preliminary support for the use of group TBT among youths with anxiety disorders. Future research should incorporate comparison groups and larger samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Gros
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (Gros); Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic (Merrifield, Hewitt, Elcock, Rowa, McCabe), and Mood Disorders Outpatient Clinic (Merrifield), St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton (Merrifield, Hewitt, Rowa, McCabe)
| | - Colleen Merrifield
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (Gros); Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic (Merrifield, Hewitt, Elcock, Rowa, McCabe), and Mood Disorders Outpatient Clinic (Merrifield), St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton (Merrifield, Hewitt, Rowa, McCabe)
| | - Jennifer Hewitt
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (Gros); Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic (Merrifield, Hewitt, Elcock, Rowa, McCabe), and Mood Disorders Outpatient Clinic (Merrifield), St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton (Merrifield, Hewitt, Rowa, McCabe)
| | - Ashleigh Elcock
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (Gros); Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic (Merrifield, Hewitt, Elcock, Rowa, McCabe), and Mood Disorders Outpatient Clinic (Merrifield), St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton (Merrifield, Hewitt, Rowa, McCabe)
| | - Karen Rowa
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (Gros); Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic (Merrifield, Hewitt, Elcock, Rowa, McCabe), and Mood Disorders Outpatient Clinic (Merrifield), St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton (Merrifield, Hewitt, Rowa, McCabe)
| | - Randi E McCabe
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (Gros); Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic (Merrifield, Hewitt, Elcock, Rowa, McCabe), and Mood Disorders Outpatient Clinic (Merrifield), St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton (Merrifield, Hewitt, Rowa, McCabe)
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