Effects of a cognitive behavioral self-help program on depressed mood for people with acquired chronic physical impairments: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveAim was to examine whether a new cognitive-behavioral self-help intervention program was effective in improving depressed mood in people with acquired chronic physical impairments. MethodsParticipants were 32 persons with acquired chronic physical impairments and depressive symptoms, who were randomly allocated to the Cognitive-Behavioral Self-help program (CBS) or the Waiting List Control group (WLC). Depression scores were assessed at three measurement moments: at pretest, immediately after completion of the intervention (posttest), and again two months later (follow-up). To evaluate changes in depression scores, Repeated Measures ANCOVA's were performed. ResultsIt was shown that respondents who followed the CBS significantly improved compared to the WLC after completion of the program, and that this positive effect remained at 2-months follow-up. ConclusionA cognitive-behavioral self-help intervention can be an effective tool to reduce depressive symptoms in people with physical impairments. Practice implicationsA self-help program may prove to be more cost-effective for individuals and for the health care system as a whole. In addition, because a self-help intervention program can be delivered through mail or internet, a high number of people could be reached while overcoming geographical and social barriers to treatment.