Dissemination Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Research Articles

Anxiety Disorders in Late Life: Considerations for Assessment and Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment

Anxiety disorders are among the most frequently diagnosed mental disorders in late life. As older adults comprise a growing segment of the population, evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders in late life have come into sharper focus. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders in late life has received less empirical attention and widespread dissemination relative to other age groups. Increasing older adults’ access to timely assessment and effective treatment can help reduce the personal and societal costs of anxiety disorders. The purpose of this review paper is to discuss important considerations for the assessment of anxiety disorders in older adults and offer adaptations to CBT treatment for this population. As part of assessment considerations, we discuss how physical health conditions, cognitive impairment, and functional limitations can impact anxiety disorder diagnoses with older adults. We also outline validated self-report measures of anxiety disorder symptoms for older adults and highlight the importance of assessing older adults’ suitability for CBT. Several recommendations for adapting CBT protocols for older adults with anxiety disorders are described, such as extending psychoeducation, altered treatment pacing, use of content aids, and medical contraindications for interoceptive exposure. A case study is included that illustrates helpful assessment and treatment adaptions for an older woman with panic disorder. We highlight the pressing need to increase research and dissemination of CBT for anxiety disorders for older adults to meet the needs of an increasing segment of the population worldwide.

Dissemination of cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use disorders in the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System: Description and evaluation of Veteran outcomes

Background As part of the nation’s largest dissemination and implementation of evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) and the promotion of EBPs for substance use disorders (SUDs), the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is working to nationally implement Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for SUD (CBT-SUD). The current manuscript describes the approach to system-wide training and reports Veteran outcomes associated with CBT-SUD implementation. Methods: Four-hundred fifty-eight Veterans with a range of treatment goals received treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) CBT-SUD Training Program. Veteran outcomes related to substance use, substance use-related problems, and quality of life were assessed with the Brief Addiction Monitor, the Short Inventory of Problems, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. Results: Statistically significant reductions in alcohol use, heavy alcohol use, other drug use, and substance use-related problems, as well as significant improvements in quality of life, were observed over the course of treatment. Conclusions: Program evaluation findings suggest that large-scale training in and implementation of EBPs for SUDs is associated with improvements in substance use and other functional outcomes. Limitations from this real-world implementation project, including the lack of a control group and missing post-treatment data, are discussed.

Implementation and Dissemination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Kaiser Permanente Hawaii: Impact and Lessons Learned

Implementation and Dissemination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Kaiser Permanente Hawaii: Impact and Lessons Learned

Dissemination of cognitive behavioral therapy for mood disorder under the national health insurance scheme in Japan

Dissemination of cognitive behavioral therapy for mood disorder under the national health insurance scheme in Japan

Dissemination of cognitive behavioral therapy for mood disorder under the national health insurance scheme in Japan: A descriptive study using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims of Japan with special focus on Japan’s southwest region

Dissemination of cognitive behavioral therapy for mood disorder under the national health insurance scheme in Japan: A descriptive study using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims of Japan with special focus on Japan’s southwest region

Presidential Address: Embracing the Repulsive: The Case for Disgust as a Functionally Central Emotional State in the Theory, Practice, and Dissemination of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

Disgust is a primary emotion, but it is also understudied in general, and in psychopathology in particular. Disgust plays a potential role in the reluctance of many non-scientifically minded practitioners from adopting evidence-based methods of treatment. This article summarizes findings from psychopathology research and treatment, and highlights basic science that potentially accounts for the hesitancy for some therapists to adopt evidence-based methods. Several recommendations are provided for future research in disgust related to both psychopathology and dissemination research.

Evidence-Based Psychotherapy in Primary Care.

The functional and financial effects of untreated psychiatric disorders within primary care have led to the development of novel service delivery models to improve access to high-quality, evidence-based mental health treatments. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an efficacious and effective psychotherapeutic approach for treating a broad range of mental health conditions. CBT is a practical, skill-building approach that emphasizes self-efficacy and self-management of symptoms while working toward defined and measurable treatment goals. Although significant barriers to the full dissemination of CBT remain, collaborative care and integrated behavioral health programs embedded within primary care clinics can enhance treatment outcomes by using CBT. Identifying core CBT principles used in the treatment of anxiety (e.g., exposure), depression (e.g., behavioral activation), and insomnia (e.g., stimulus control) is an important step toward improving the quality of care for these conditions. High-impact, low-intensity CBT programs hold promise in improving access to this evidence-based treatment across a broader population.

Dissemination of CBT for Insomnia

Dissemination of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) is essential because this effective non-pharmacological intervention for insomnia is currently underutilized. In this chapter, we review past and recent dissemination efforts aimed at (1) increasing the ranks of qualified treatment providers and (2) increasing availability of direct-to-consumer CBTI treatment products. Specifically, we describe a model for training licensed mental health clinicians to competency in delivering CBTI that is currently underway in the VA Healthcare system and results from the evaluation of this dissemination effort. We also discuss existing direct-to-consumer treatment programs that use a variety of formats and modalities, and the emerging use of technologies to deliver and enhance CBTI. While significant progress has been made in disseminating CBTI, we highlight the need for future dissemination work, including the importance of developing cost-effective models that blend therapist-delivered treatment with direct-to-consumer modalities, and the need to create treatment guidelines, particularly as they apply to low therapist involvement and blended models of delivery.

Medication and psychotherapy in eating disorders: is there a gap between research and practice?

BackgroundLittle research has investigated the use of evidence-based guidelines by eating disorder (ED) therapists, or prescribing of psychotropic medication. Moreover, people with EDs have rarely been surveyed on these topics, and their clinical and demographic features have not been presented. This study investigated perception of psychotherapy, psychotropic medication and the clinical characteristics of a community sample of people with EDs.MethodAn online survey methodology was used to recruit 253 people with eating disorders in the community. Where feasible, comparisons were made between four types of eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and two types of atypical or ‘sub-threshold’ eating disorder.ResultsUnlike medication, reported psychotherapy showed some congruence with evidence based and other guidance. Most participants were currently receiving either psychotherapy, medication or both, and most had a severe and chronic ED.ConclusionsFindings are considered in light of use of evidence-based treatment for EDs, calls for greater dissemination of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT); indications that much may be poor quality; and the importance of what treatments to offer those who are chronically and severely ill. Development of theory and novel treatments is considered a priority.

Transporting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) project to Japan: preliminary observations and service evaluation in Chiba

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implementation and evaluation of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) training course for clinicians in Chiba, the sixth-largest province in Japan. Design/methodology/approach – Individual CBT for obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, or social anxiety disorder was delivered by trainees of the Chiba CBT training course in a single study design. Findings – The results demonstrated that individual CBT delivered by trainees led to statistically significant reductions in symptom severity for all three disorders. Feedback from the trainees indicated that the training course achieved its aims. Research limitations/implications – Barriers to the dissemination of CBT in Japan such as opportunities for training and possible solutions are discussed. Originality/value – This paper evaluates the Chiba CBT training course, which is a Japanese adaptation of the UK Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Project and the first post-qualification CBT training course in Japan.

Development of Nursing Guidelines for Inpatients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Line with the Progress of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Practical Report

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely regarded as an effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and is usually provided on an outpatient basis. A minority of individuals need a more intensive/ inpatient service, which is particularly important for patients who cannot be managed as outpatients owing to the nature or extent of their symptoms. Inpatient treatment is generally provided by a multidisciplinary team and psychiatric nurses play a specific and prominent role as they are afforded a unique assessment and intervention opportunity by virtue of their 24-hour presence on the unit. However, there are few facilities, reports of multidisciplinary approaches, or descriptions of the role of nursing staff as cotherapists for CBT-oriented treatment of inpatients with OCD. The present paper therefore reports the developed nursing guidelines for inpatients with OCD in line with the progress of CBT at Chiba University Hospital in the context of Japan being a country in which CBT is under development. In addition, availability of the guidelines, better means of managing severe OCD and key issues for dissemination of CBT in Japan are discussed.

Comparing In-Person to Videoconference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundCognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness for treating mood and anxiety disorders. Dissemination of CBT via videoconference may help improve access to treatment.ObjectiveThe present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of CBT administered via videoconference to in-person therapy for a mixed diagnostic cohort.MethodsA total of 26 primarily Caucasian clients (mean age 30 years, SD 11) who had a primary Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition text revision (DSM-IV-TR) diagnosis of a mood or anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to receive 12 sessions of CBT either in-person or via videoconference. Treatment involved individualized CBT formulations specific to the presenting diagnosis; all sessions were provided by the same therapist. Participants were recruited through a university clinic. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life were assessed using questionnaires before, after, and 6 weeks following treatment. Secondary outcomes at posttreatment included working alliance and client satisfaction.ResultsRetention was similar across treatment conditions; there was one more client in the videoconferencing condition at posttreatment and at follow-up. Statistical analysis using multilevel mixed effects linear regression indicated a significant reduction in client symptoms across time for symptoms of depression (P<.001, d=1.41), anxiety (P<.001, d=1.14), stress (P<.001, d=1.81), and quality of life (P<.001, d=1.17). There were no significant differences between treatment conditions regarding symptoms of depression (P=.165, d=0.37), anxiety (P=.41, d=0.22), stress (P=.15, d=0.38), or quality of life (P=.62, d=0.13). There were no significant differences in client rating of the working alliance (P=.53, one-tailed, d=–0.26), therapist ratings of the working alliance (P=.60, one-tailed, d=0.23), or client ratings of satisfaction (P=.77, one-tailed, d=–0.12). Fisher’s Exact P was not significant regarding differences in reliable change from pre- to posttreatment or from pretreatment to follow-up for symptoms of depression (P=.41, P=.26), anxiety (P=.60, P=.99), or quality of life (P=.65, P=.99) but was significant for symptoms of stress in favor of the videoconferencing condition (P=.03, P=.035). Difference between conditions regarding clinically significant change was also not observed from pre- to posttreatment or from pretreatment to follow-up for symptoms of depression (P=.67, P=.30), anxiety (P=.99, P=.99), stress (P=.19, P=.13), or quality of life (P=.99, P=.62).ConclusionsThe findings of this controlled trial indicate that CBT was effective in significantly reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress and increasing quality of life in both in-person and videoconferencing conditions, with no significant differences being observed between the two.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ID: ACTRN12609000819224; http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12609000819224.aspx (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6Kz5iBMiV).

National dissemination of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in veterans: Therapist- and patient-level outcomes.

To evaluate the effects of national training in and implementation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system on clinicians' competency and patients' insomnia severity, symptoms of depression, and quality of life. A prospective cohort of 102 VA clinicians (including mental health staff in various mental health and primary care settings) participated in the VA CBT-I Training Program during 2011 and 2012. Patients included 182 veterans treated by clinicians enrolled in the training. Clinicians were rated on taped therapy sessions, using a standardized competency rating form. Patients' symptoms were assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and standardized measures of depression and quality of life. Of 102 clinicians attending workshop training, 94 (92%) met all training requirements, including minimum competency score criteria. Of 182 patients, 122 (67%) completed treatment. The mixed effects model revealed significant reductions in average patient ISI score (from 19.9 to 10.2, standard error = 3.0). Patients also improved on measures of depression and quality of life. National training in and implementation of CBT-I resulted in a significant increase in therapist competency to deliver CBT-I for almost all clinicians and in a large reduction in insomnia severity and improvement in depression and quality of life among veterans. Observed effect sizes are comparable to results of randomized clinical trials. These results suggest CBT-I can be feasibly and effectively disseminated to routine clinical settings, with very favorable patient outcomes.

Lessons Learned from the National Dissemination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in the Veterans Health Administration

Chronic insomnia, common among veterans, is associated with negative physical health, and, if untreated, can impact the severity of comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a highly effective and well-established treatment, but patient access is limited because few clinicians are trained to deliver the therapy. This article describes the training methods and the impact of training on therapists’ use of CBT-I and on their self-efficacy to deliver and attitudes toward CBT-I.

A Pilot Study of Computer-Assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Childhood Anxiety in Community Mental Health Centers.

Anxiety disorders among children are common, disabling, and run a chronic course without treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown robust efficacy for childhood anxiety. However, dissemination of CBT into community mental health centers (CMHCs) is limited. Computer-assisted CBT (CCBT) programs have been developed to improve dissemination by providing a structured treatment format that allows therapists to reliably deliver evidence-based treatments with fidelity. In this pilot study involving therapists with limited CBT experience, the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a CCBT program, Camp Cope-A-Lot (Khanna & Kendall, 2008b), were examined in three CMHCs. Seventeen youth ages 7-13 years and diagnosed with a primary anxiety disorder were enrolled. Assessments were conducted by a rater not involved in treatment at baseline and posttreatment. Significant reductions in anxiety severity and impairment were demonstrated at the posttreatment assessment. High levels of family satisfaction were reported. These results provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of a computer-assisted treatment into CMHCs and warrant replication in a controlled setting.

Lars-Göran Öst

Lars-Göran Öst is one of the most eminent clinical researchers in the field of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and a founder of CBT in Sweden. He has recently retired from his position as professor in clinical psychology at Stockholm University, Sweden. In this paper, we sketch a brief description of the body of work by Öst. Examples of his innovative and pioneering new treatment methods include the one-session treatment for specific phobias, as well as applied relaxation for a range of anxiety disorders and health conditions. While Öst remains active in the field, he has contributed significantly to the development and dissemination of CBT in Sweden as well as in the world.

Dissemination of Evidence-Based Practices for Anxiety Disorders in Wyoming

Despite the well-established effectiveness of exposure-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of anxiety disorders, therapists have been slow to adopt CBT into their clinical practice. The present study was conducted to examine the utilization of psychotherapy techniques for anxiety disorders among community practitioners in a rural setting in order to determine the current status of the dissemination of CBT. A sample of 51 licensed psychotherapists from various mental health professions was recruited from online practice listings in the state of Wyoming. Participants completed a survey assessing their use of various psychotherapy techniques in the past 12 months for clients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia. Nearly all psychotherapists reported providing CBT, and techniques such as cognitive restructuring, arousal-reduction strategies, and mindfulness were used by the vast majority of respondents. Therapist-assisted exposure was rarely utilized, and providers who delivered exposure therapy often did so alongside other techniques of questionable compatibility with this approach. Non-evidence-based techniques were frequently used, particularly by self-proclaimed anxiety specialists. Our findings highlight the successes and failures of efforts to disseminate exposure-based CBT to community practitioners. Implications for clinical training and practice are discussed.

Therapist effects and the dissemination of cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome in community-based mental health care

ObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to explore the role of the therapist in the dissemination of manualized cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) outside specialized treatment settings. MethodWe used the routinely collected outcome data of three community-based mental health care centers (MHCs) which implemented and sustained CBT for CFS during the course of the study. Ten therapists, who all received the same training in CBT for CFS, and 103 patients with CFS were included. ResultsRandom effects modeling revealed a significant difference in mean post-treatment fatigue between therapists. The effect of the therapist accounted for 21% of the total variance in post-treatment fatigue in our sample. This effect could be explained by the therapists’ attitude toward working with evidence-based treatment manuals as well as by the MHC where CBT for CFS was delivered. ConclusionThe context in which CBT for CFS is delivered may play an important role in the accomplishment of established therapy effects outside specialized treatment settings. Due to the small sample size of MHCs and the different implementation scenarios in which they were engaged, our findings should be interpreted as preliminary results which are in need for replication.

National dissemination of cognitive behavioral therapy for depression in the department of veterans affairs health care system: Therapist and patient-level outcomes.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system is nationally disseminating and implementing cognitive behavioral therapy for depression (CBT-D). The current article evaluates therapist and patient-level outcomes associated with national training in and implementation of CBT-D in the VA health care system. Therapist competencies were assessed with the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale (CTRS). Patient outcomes were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. Therapeutic alliance was assessed with the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised. Two-hundred twenty-one therapists have received training, and 356 veteran patients have received treatment through the VA CBT-D Training Program. Of therapists who have participated in the program, 182 (82%) completed all training requirements and achieved competency, reflected by a score of 40 on the CTRS. Of 356 patients, nearly 70% completed 10 or more sessions or improved sufficiently to stop therapy before the 10th session. Mean depression scores decreased by approximately 40% from initial to later treatment phase. Effect sizes of changes ranged from d = 0.39 to d = 0.74 for quality of life and from d = 0.47 to d = 0.66 for therapeutic alliance measures. National training in and implementation of CBT-D within the VA health care system is associated with significant, positive therapist training outcomes, as evidenced by increases in CBT core competencies. The implementation of the protocol by newly trained CBT-D therapists is associated with significantly improved patient outcomes, as evidenced by large decreases in depression and improvements in quality of life.

A Pilot Study Disseminating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression: Therapist Factors and Perceptions of Barriers to Implementation

This preliminary report on dissemination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression assessed numerous therapist factors thought to influence implementation in a community setting. Participants were 24 therapists, aged 26-61 who participated in three, 1-day workshops and 8months of ongoing group consultation. Attitudes toward empirically supported treatments (ESTs) and readiness to change were positively correlated whereas attitudes toward ESTs were negatively correlated with perceived client barriers to implementation. Therapists' report of client and setting factors were negatively associated with therapists' reports of implementation of CBT. Results are discussed in terms of implications and recommendations for dissemination and implementation of ESTs.