Extrait

Background and study aims By 2020 depression is expected to represent the second highest burden of disease among all general health problems. Psychological Well-being Practitioners (PWPs) are a new workforce created as part of the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) programme implemented across England. PWPs undertake a range of evidence-based low-intensity psychological interventions including Behavioural Activation (BA), which seeks to reduce depressed mood by increasing daily functioning. BA has been established as an evidence-based treatment for depression. Physical Activity is also recommended by NICE for people with depression. As patients with depression often also have chronic disease and physical health problems, there have already been proposals to extend the role of the PWP beyond the treatment of mental health to include an increased focus upon the promotion of positive health behaviours including physical activity. However, such efforts have thus far been stifled by the lack of appropriate interventions through which to do this, alongside lack of training in the skills to promote Physical Activity. The aim of this study is to design and evaluate an enhanced version of evidence-based behavioural activation (BA) treatment for people with depression by adding a focus on physical activity (PA) in a novel intervention (BAcPAc). The PWPs supporting this arm will receive additional training in supporting the BAcPAc intervention informed by the developmental work already undertaken by members of the research team. Who can participate? 80 people with depression, aged 18 to 90 years, and referred to one of two IAPT services in South West England, will be recruited into the study. What does the study involve? Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either BAcPAc or normal care (for 4 months or 12 weekly sessions) within a written self-help format that represents treatment-as-usual. Measures of PA, depression and wellbeing will be collected at the start of the study and after 4 and 12 months. Participants in this study who are allocated to receive normal care will receive BA through IAPT services as normal. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? BA has been shown to be an effective treatment for depression. Participants receiving the enhanced version of BA (BAcPAc) may potentially increase their physical activity levels. Regular physical activity is recommended by NICE for people with depression and can produce a rapid sense of wellbeing, and longer-term benefits of reduced depression. Regular physical activity also has numerous physical benefits and is recommended for the general health of the population. Potential risks for participants increasing physical activity are very low as the focus of all recommendations for increasing physical activity will be on moderate intensity activity, and increasing the frequency and duration of activity that the participant is already doing. The PWP will receive training to ensure the activity the participant will be undertaking is within their existing capability. Where is the study run from? The research team are based at the University of Exeter, with collaboration from University of Exeter Medical School and Peninsular Clinical Trials Unit. When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? Recruitment started in April 2013 and is due to end in April 2014. Who is funding the study? BAcPAc is funded by the NPRI-4 (Medical Research Council and partners). Who is the main contact? Ms Claire Pentecost [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Topic: Mental Health Research Network; Subtopic: Depression; Disease: Depression

Liens

• isrctn
• ictrp