Feasibility study of brief Group Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioural Treatment delivered via Zoom for anxiety and depression in primary care

Ben Beaglehole; Jennifer Jordan; Chris Frampton; Alison Alexander; Angela Spencer; Cameron Lacey; Richard Porter; Caroline Bell

Feasibility study of brief Group Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioural Treatment delivered via Zoom for anxiety and depression in primary care

N Z Med J. 2023 Feb 17;136(1570):12-19.

Authors

Ben Beaglehole¹, Jennifer Jordan², Chris Frampton³, Alison Alexander⁴, Angela Spencer⁵, Cameron Lacey⁶, Richard Porter⁷, Caroline Bell⁶

Affiliations

¹ Senior Lecturer and Psychiatrist, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
² Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist, Senior Lecturer and Psychiatrist, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
³ Biostatistician, Senior Lecturer and Psychiatrist, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
⁴ Clinical Psychologist, Anxiety Disorders Service, Canterbury District Health Board, Hillmorton Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
⁵ Nurse Therapist, private practitioner, 483 Avonhead Road, Avonhead, Christchurch, New Zealand.
⁶ Associate Professor and Psychiatrist, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
⁷ Professor and Psychiatrist, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.

PMID: 36796315

Abstract

Aim: To report the feasibility of delivering and the effectiveness of brief Group Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TCBT) via Zoom for anxiety and/or depression in primary care.

Methods: Participants were eligible for this open-label study if their primary care clinician recommended brief psychological intervention for clinically diagnosed anxiety and/or depression. Group TCBT included an individual assessment followed by four x 2-hour manualised therapy sessions. Primary outcome measures assessed recruitment, adherence to treatment and reliable recovery measured using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7.

Results: Twenty-two participants received TCBT over three groups. Recruitment and adherence to TCBT met feasibility thresholds for delivering group TCBT via Zoom. Improvements in the PHQ-9, GAD-7 and reliable recovery were present 3 and 6 months following treatment commencement.

Conclusion: Brief TCBT delivered using Zoom is a feasible treatment for anxiety and depression diagnosed in primary care. Definitive RCTs are required to provide confirmatory evidence of efficacy for brief group TCBT in this setting.

MeSH terms

Anxiety / therapy
Cognition
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
Depression* / diagnosis
Depression* / therapy
Feasibility Studies
Humans
New Zealand
Primary Health Care
Treatment Outcome