A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial of a Brief Early Intervention for Adolescent Depression that Targets Emotional Mental Images and Memory Specificity (IMAGINE trial)
Pile, V; Smith, P; Leamy, M; et al.Oliver, A; Bennett, E; Blackwell, SE; Meiser-Stedman, R; Stringer, D; Dunn, BD; Holmes, EA; Lau, JYF
Date: 24 April 2021
Journal
Behaviour Research and Therapy
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Brief, evidence-based interventions for adolescent depression are urgently required, particularly for school-settings. Cognitive mechanisms research suggests dysfunctional mental imagery and overgeneral memory could be promising targets to improve mood. This feasibility randomised controlled trial with parallel symptomatic groups (n=56) ...
Brief, evidence-based interventions for adolescent depression are urgently required, particularly for school-settings. Cognitive mechanisms research suggests dysfunctional mental imagery and overgeneral memory could be promising targets to improve mood. This feasibility randomised controlled trial with parallel symptomatic groups (n=56) compared a novel imagery-based cognitive behavioural intervention (ICBI) to non-directive supportive therapy (NDST) in school settings. Blind assessments (of clinical symptoms and cognitive mechanisms) took place pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up three months later. The trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the methodology and interventions, and estimate the likely range of effects of the intervention on self-reported depression. The pre-defined criteria for proceeding to a definitive RCT were met: full recruitment occurred within eleven months; retention was 89%; ICBI acceptability was above satisfactory; and no harm was indicated. Intention-to-treat analysis found large effects in favour of ICBI (relative to NDST) at post-intervention in reducing depressive symptoms (d=-1.34, 95% CI [-1.87, -0.80]) and improving memory specificity (d=0.79 [0.35, 1.23]), a key cognitive target. The findings suggest that ICBI may not only improve mood but also strengthen abilities associated with imagining and planning the future, critical skills at this life stage. A fully powered evaluation of ICBI is warranted.
Psychology - old structure
Collections of Former Colleges
Item views 0
Full item downloads 0
Except where otherwise noted, this item's licence is described as © 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd. This version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/