Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Community Clinics: A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial.

Cully JA, Hundt NE, Fletcher T, Sansgiry S, Zeno D, Kauth MR, Kunik ME, Sorocco K. Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Community Clinics: A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.). 2023 Sep 7; appips20220582.

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• IIR 21-035 – Direct to consumer marketing to engage Veterans in evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD
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• IIR 18-233 – A pragmatic trial of brief CBT for anxiety in VA primary care

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Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: The authors examined whether brief cognitive-behavioral therapy (bCBT) for depression, delivered by mental health providers in community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) of the Veterans Health Administration, improved depression outcomes and was feasible and acceptable in clinical settings. METHODS: The authors used a type-2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation, patient-randomized trial to compare bCBT with enhanced usual care. Participants (N = 189) with moderate symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] score 10) were enrolled from CBOCs in the southern United States. bCBT (N = 109) consisted of three to six sessions, delivered by mental health providers (N = 17) as part of routine clinic practices. Providers received comprehensive training and support to facilitate bCBT delivery. Recipients of enhanced usual care (N = 80) were given educational materials and encouraged to discuss treatment options with their primary care provider. The primary effectiveness outcome was PHQ-9-assessed depression symptoms posttreatment (4 months after baseline) and at 8- and 12-month follow-ups. Implementation outcomes focused on bCBT dose received, provider fidelity, and satisfaction with bCBT training and support. RESULTS: bCBT improved depression symptoms (Cohen's d = 0.55, p < 0.01) relative to enhanced usual care posttreatment, and the improvement was maintained at 8- and 12-month follow-ups (p = 0.04). bCBT participants received a mean±SD of 3.7±2.7 sessions (range 0-9), and 64% completed treatment ( 3 sessions). Providers delivered bCBT with fidelity and reported that bCBT training and support were feasible and effective. CONCLUSIONS: bCBT had a modest treatment footprint of approximately four sessions, was acceptable to participants and providers, was feasible for delivery in community-based outpatient clinics, and produced meaningful sustained improvements in depression.