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Process-based Therapy for Difficult-to-treat Anxiety Disorders and Depression

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Depression
Anxiety Disorder
Interventions
Other: Process-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PBT)
Other: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Registration Number
NCT06517589
Lead Sponsor
Goethe University
Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to test the relative efficacy of Process-based Therapy compared to traditional CBT delivered in routine practice (r-CBT) for difficult-to-treat anxiety disorders and depression.

Detailed Description

Process-based Therapy (PBT) is a new framework to intervention planning, based on the use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data, feedback of dynamic network analysis and matching of interventions to central nodes of the network. Although preliminary support for its applicability has been reported from a single-case study, there are no data on the feasibility and effectiveness in a larger clinical sample. The investigators have translated a Training Manual of PBT and modified for delivery of CBT in Mental Health Service. The aim of this study is to test the relative efficacy of PBT compared to traditional CBT delivered in routine practice (r-CBT) for difficult-to-treat anxiety disorders and depression.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
80
Inclusion Criteria
  • A primary DSM-5 diagnosis of depressive or anxiety disorder
  • At least two unsuccessful attempts of pharmacological or psychological treatment according to the German guidelines for the treatment of depression or anxiety disorders (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften, AWMF)
  • Age 18-65 years
  • Sufficient knowledge of the German language
  • Participating patients are not required to discontinue medication, but to keep medication constant over the treatment period
Exclusion Criteria
  • Increased suicidality
  • Substance abuse or dependency
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Pervasive developmental disorder
  • Psychotic disorder
  • Eating disorder
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Severe physical illness

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Process-based Cognitive Behavioral TherapyProcess-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PBT)In PBT (20 sessions), treatment is initiated by a collaborative interpretation of the dynamic network model using smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment collected during the baseline. Based on the outcome of the dynamic network model, interventions are selected on the basis of empirical evidence for mechanisms of change matching to the central node of the individual patient, besides feedback loops and self-loops, as the key process maintaining the maladaptive pattern. Interventions are conceptualized in the evolutionary framework as variation, selection and retention of an adaptive mode of the central node related to the specific context of the problem. The change of this variable is monitored using daily judgements on the basis of EMA. Further treatment planning focuses on additional targets to establish the adaptive modes of the dimensions as defined in the positive network model. Concomitant medication is allowed and will be controlled in statistical analyses.
Traditional Cognitive Behavioral TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)In r-CBT (20 sessions) a naturalistic setting is retained for treatment decisions. Treatment planning follows traditional theories about the effects of the interventions on factors maintaining the disorder, e.g. avoidance and exposure in anxiety disorder or reduced reinforcement of activities and behavioral activation in depression. Interventions are selected on the basis of common treatment manuals related to diagnoses, e.g. CBT for depression. Individual data from the behavioral analysis are used to taylor the techniques to the problem behaviors or dysfunctional thoughts of patients. Treatment process focuses mainly on the implementation of the manualized interventions adapted to the individual patient as recommended in the National guidelines for treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Concomitant medication is allowed and will be controlled in statistical analyses.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21)Assessed at inclusion, at pre-treatment, at post-treatment (week 32) and at 6 month follow-up

Emotional distress, minimum value=0, maximum value=63, higher scores mean worse outcome

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8)Assessed at inclusion, at pre-treatment, at post-treatment (week 32) and at 6 month follow-up

Reflective Functioning, minimum value=8, maximum value=56, higher scores on the uncertainty dimension mean worse outcome, higher scores in the certainty dimension mean better outcomes

Acceptance and Action Questionnaire Version 2 (AAQ-2)Assessed at inclusion, at pre-treatment, at post-treatment (week 32) and at 6 month follow-up

Psychological flexibility and acceptance, minimum value=7, maximum value=49, higher scores mean worse outcome

Positive-Mental Health Scale (PMH)Assessed at inclusion, at pre-treatment, at post-treatment (week 32) and at 6 month follow-up

Positive mental health, minimum value=9, maximum value=36, higher scores mean better outcome

Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-10)Assessed at inclusion, at pre-treatment, at post-treatment (week 32) and at 6 month follow-up

Psychological symptoms of distress, depressive and anxious symptoms, minimum value=0, maximum value=30, higher scores mean worse outcome

Euroqol-5D (EQ-5D)Assessed at inclusion, at pre-treatment, at post-treatment (week 32) and at 6 month follow-up

Health related quality of life, minimum health state=11111, maximum health state=55555, higher scores in health state mean worse outcome, minimum health score=0, maximum health score=100, higher scores in health score mean better outcome

Anticipatory and Consummatory Interpersonal Pleasure Scale (ACIPS)Assessed at inclusion, at pre-treatment, at post-treatment (week 32) and at 6 month follow-up

Pleasure in interpersonal situations, minimum value=17, maximum value=102, higher scores mean better outcome

Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8)Assessed at post-treatment at week 32

Client Satisfaction, minimum value=8, maximum value=32, higher scores mean better outcome

Process-based Assessment Tool (PBAT)Assessed at inclusion, at pre-treatment, at post-treatment (week 32) and at 6 month follow-up

Variation, selection and retention of adaptive behavior, minimum value=0, maximum value=1800, higher scores mean better outcome

Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy Skills Questionnaire (CBTSQ)Assessed at inclusion, pre-treatment, weekly during the treatment (from week 11 to 30), at post-treatment (week 32) and at 6 month follow-up

Patients use of CBT interventions, minimum value=6, maximum value=42, higher scores mean better outcome

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

JWGUniversity

🇩🇪

Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany

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