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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

A community-based pilot randomised controlled study of life skills classes for individuals with low mood and depression

Authors: Carrie-Anne McClay, Katrina Collins, Lynsay Matthews, Caroline Haig, Alex McConnachie, Jill Morrison, Pat Lynch, Louise Waters, Ilena Day, Grainne McAnee, Christopher Williams

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended for the treatment of depression and anxiety. However, access is limited. Low-intensity approaches such as guided CBT self-help (bibliotherapy) can increase access to treatment and is recommended by UK guidelines. No previous research has explored the provision of group-based guidance/support for a bibliotherapy approach for depression and anxiety in community settings. The objective was to carry out a pilot study of a group guided self-help intervention, using community based recruitment methods.

Method

A randomised controlled trial comparing an 8 week CBT group guided self-help intervention to usual care. Recruitment and the delivery of the intervention were carried out in Glasgow and Derry/Londonderry in partnership with national depression charities. Fifty-three people were randomised, however we refer only to the forty-six participants who provided baseline data: 16 males and 30 females, aged 16 or over, with a PHQ-9 score of ≥ 5, were recruited from the community. The mean age of the sample was 43.7 (sd = 13) and 93.5% of participants had suffered from low mood for a year or more.

Results

There was effective recruitment, randomisation, uptake and adherence with 21 Immediate Access (IA) and 25 Delayed Access Control (DAC) participants. The intervention was highly acceptable to participants attending on average 4.46 of the 8 sessions (sd 3.06), 65.2% attended more than half of all sessions. The mean satisfaction on the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire was 28 out of 32 (sd 4.8). The provisional results in the pilot suggest the intervention may improve both anxiety and depression. At three months, data collection was achieved from 74% of participants. The trial successfully provided estimates of the sample size needed for the future planned trial.

Conclusions

Low-intensity group-based classes may offer an alternative method of managing depression and anxiety and warrant further research.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN84893887. Registered 3 November 2011.
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Metadata
Title
A community-based pilot randomised controlled study of life skills classes for individuals with low mood and depression
Authors
Carrie-Anne McClay
Katrina Collins
Lynsay Matthews
Caroline Haig
Alex McConnachie
Jill Morrison
Pat Lynch
Louise Waters
Ilena Day
Grainne McAnee
Christopher Williams
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-015-0384-2

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