An evaluation of a CBT-based psychoeducation group for anxiety disorders delivered in routine practice in an Older Adult Community Mental Health Team

Abstract

Aim:To determine the effectiveness and acceptability of a brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) based psychoeducation group for anxiety disorders delivered in a National Health Service (NHS) Older Adult Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) setting.Method:Clients referred from the caseload of a local NHS Older Adult CMHT, who were found suitable for CBT, and who had an anxiety disorder, were invited to a psychoeducation group delivered in an outpatient mental health clinic by an Occupational Therapist (OT) and a Clinical Psychologist. Outcomes were measured using the Depression/Anxiety/Stress Scale (DASS-21; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), which was administered at the first and final sessions of the five-week group. Participants also filled in an Anxiety Psychoeducation Group Feedback Form at the final session.Results:16 people took part in the group intervention overall. The participants had a mean age of 74.7 years (6.94), they were all White British and four participants (25 per cent) were male. There were statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-intervention means for all DASS-21 subscales, with post-intervention scores for Depression, Anxiety and Stress being significantly lower than pre-intervention scores. Data collected from the Feedback Form at the final session of the group suggests good levels of participant satisfaction with the intervention.Conclusion:The intervention appeared to be effective at reducing scores on measures of Anxiety, Depression and Stress and was also acceptable to all participants who attended. The results are supportive of further evaluation and refinement of alternative systems of delivery, such as group interventions, with this client group.