Abstract
BackgroundThe goal of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility and clinical outcomes of a brief (6-session) group therapy programme in adolescent outpatients with depression. The programme had previously been assessed in in-patients, with positive results.MethodsA total of 15 outpatients aged 13 to 18 years took part in the programme between October 2010 and May 2011, in 3 separate groups of 4–6 participants each. The outcomes measured were feasibility of the programme, as assessed by attendance rate, user feedback, fidelity of implementation, and response to treatment, as assessed by pre- and post-intervention measurement of depressive symptoms, quality of life, and suicidal ideation.ResultsThe programme demonstrated good feasibility, with a mean attendance rate of 5.33 out of 6 sessions, a mean rating by participants on overall satisfaction with the programme of 7.21 out of 10 (SD = 1.89), and a 93% concurrence between the contents of the sessions and the contents of the treatment manual. Compared to baseline scores, depressive symptoms at follow-up test were significantly reduced, as assessed by the Children’s Depression Rating Scale Revised (F(1, 12) = 11.76, p < .01) and the Beck Depression Inventory Revision (F(1, 32) = 11.19, p < .01); quality of life improved, as assessed by the Inventory of Quality of Life (F(1, 31) = 5.27, p < .05); and suicidal ideation was reduced. No significant changes were seen on the measures of the Parent Rating Scale for Depression and the Clinical Global Impression scale.ConclusionsBased on the results of this pilot study, it is feasible to further assess this brief outpatient treatment programme in a randomized controlled trial without further modifications.
Highlights
The goal of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility and clinical outcomes of a brief (6-session) group therapy programme in adolescent outpatients with depression
Up to two-thirds of depressed adolescents suffer from co-morbid disorders [2], and depression is often associated with poor health behaviours and social challenges as well as with an elevated risk for suicide [3]
Of 22 adolescent outpatients who were referred for screening, 3 were screening failures, and 4 declined to participate; 3 by their own choice and 1 where permission was refused by the mother
Summary
The goal of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility and clinical outcomes of a brief (6-session) group therapy programme in adolescent outpatients with depression. Up to two-thirds of depressed adolescents suffer from co-morbid disorders [2], and depression is often associated with poor health behaviours and social challenges as well as with an elevated risk for suicide [3]. Given the nature and associated risks of depression, the Global Burden of Disease Study of the World Health Organization [5] has Several authors have looked at factors that might affect the effectiveness of therapies for children and adolescents with depression. In a recent meta-regression analysis looking at treatments for depression in adults, Cuijpers et al [8] found that more sessions per week led to a larger effect size while every additional week of therapy reduced the effect size, which suggests there may be advantages to interventions that are short and intensive. Brief therapies have the advantage that they allow for faster access to treatment and can be offered as a first-line treatment, reserving longer therapies for individuals who fail to respond
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