The Bonny Method in the Treatment of Depression: A Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study

Abstract

A multi-site randomized controlled feasibility study using a parallel design was conducted to determine the feasibility of the trial design and to provide preliminary evidence for whether the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) has an effect on depression, anxiety, stress, and mental wellbeing in persons with depression. Participants (N = 14) with depression were randomly allocated to either receive a series of 10 biweekly individual GIM sessions or a waitlist period followed by a series of group GIM sessions. Participants completed the Inventory of Depressive Symptomotology–Self-Report; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales; and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale at pretest, midpoint, posttest, and 6-week followup. After onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, recruitment was terminated early and sessions were shifted to telehealth. Results indicate that the design is feasible with minor adjustments, and that the GIM condition had high safety, tolerability, and acceptability. Treatment outcome analyses are also reported.