Abstract
BackgroundDepression and anxiety disorders are increasing among the general population in the Western world. Individuals may need several kinds of treatment in order to maintain health, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and drug treatment. However, having an everyday life that “works” is also important, suggesting a need for interventions based on activities that facilitate a satisfying everyday life. There is still lack of such evidence-based interventions. The Tree Theme Method® (TTM) is an occupational therapy intervention designed for a client-centred context in which an individual develops strategies to become an actor in his or her everyday life. Previous studies of the TTM have focused on process evaluation; therefore, further studies are needed to evaluate the method’s effects. The aim of this paper is to outline an intervention that can evaluate the effects of the TTM in terms of psychological symptoms, as well as everyday occupations and well-being, in patients suffering from depression and anxiety.Methods/DesignThis randomized clinical trial includes patients from three Swedish counties randomized to either intervention or treatment as usual. Men and women aged 18–65 years who have been diagnosed with either depression or anxiety are eligible for inclusion. Data collection is carried out at baseline, and outcomes are assessed at the end of intervention, as well as at 3 months and 12 months after intervention ends. The outcomes measured are psychological symptoms, everyday activities, and health-related factors.DiscussionDepression and anxiety may create difficulties for individuals in the activities of their everyday lives to the extent that they require diagnosis and intervention. Despite this reality, evidence-based interventions that focus on everyday activities are lacking. Therefore, it would be useful to design a specific method for occupational therapy intervention that does precisely that. This study provides insight into the effects of the TTM, comparing it to occupational therapy treatment as usual.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01980381; registered November 2013.
Highlights
Depression and anxiety disorders are increasing among the general population in the Western world
Evidence-based interventions that focus on everyday activities are lacking
It would be useful to design a specific method for occupational therapy intervention that does precisely that
Summary
Depression and anxiety disorders are common and may lead to difficulty functioning in everyday life, at home as well as at work These illnesses may affect people’s daily lives to the extent that they require medical care and treatment, currently no evidence-based interventions focus on activities of self-care, productivity, leisure, and relationships with others. Authors’ contributions ABG conceived the idea for the study, led the research design and intervention, obtained the funding, and is the primary author of the manuscript. PhD with several years of experience as an occupational therapist in mental-health care and the rehabilitation of patients suffering from depression and anxiety, as well as experience evaluating various interventions. PhD with experience in several areas of occupational therapy and rehabilitation, including mental health, as well as experience evaluating an intervention. KH is an MD and PhD with several years of experience as a general practitioner in primary health care, as well as experience evaluating various interventions, including randomized controlled trials
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