OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to determine the acceptability and treatment outcome of using Beating the Blues (BTB) with older people (6 + years). Specific aims included identifying the treatment uptake and drop-out rate, and describing the role of basic demographics in therapy uptake. METHOD: Fifty-eight participants, experiencing symptoms of depression, were given a free choice of receiving treatment as usual (TAU) plus BTB (TAU + BTB) or TAU alone. All participants completed demographic questionnaires and a range of outcome measures at baseline, 2 months after baseline (end of treatment) and 3 months after baseline (follow-up). RESULTS: Thirty-three participants (56.9%) opted to receive BTB and reported having more experience and confidence using a computer than those who declined BTB. Twenty-four participants (72.7%) went on to complete all eight BTB sessions. Statistical analysis found significant differences between the two treatment groups, with the TAU + BTB group showing greater improvements in their symptoms of depression and anxiety than the TAU group by the end of treatment and at follow-up. Furthermore, the TAU+ BTB group had a significantly higher percentage of participants who met criteria for clinically significant improvement in their symptoms of depression by the end of treatment and at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although further research is required, including a randomised controlled trial, the results of this initial pilot study provide evidence that BTB may offer an acceptable and effective treatment option for older people.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to determine the acceptability and treatment outcome of using Beating the Blues (BTB) with older people (6 + years). Specific aims included identifying the treatment uptake and drop-out rate, and describing the role of basic demographics in therapy uptake. METHOD: Fifty-eight participants, experiencing symptoms of depression, were given a free choice of receiving treatment as usual (TAU) plus BTB (TAU + BTB) or TAU alone. All participants completed demographic questionnaires and a range of outcome measures at baseline, 2 months after baseline (end of treatment) and 3 months after baseline (follow-up). RESULTS: Thirty-three participants (56.9%) opted to receive BTB and reported having more experience and confidence using a computer than those who declined BTB. Twenty-four participants (72.7%) went on to complete all eight BTB sessions. Statistical analysis found significant differences between the two treatment groups, with the TAU + BTB group showing greater improvements in their symptoms of depression and anxiety than the TAU group by the end of treatment and at follow-up. Furthermore, the TAU+ BTB group had a significantly higher percentage of participants who met criteria for clinically significant improvement in their symptoms of depression by the end of treatment and at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although further research is required, including a randomised controlled trial, the results of this initial pilot study provide evidence that BTB may offer an acceptable and effective treatment option for older people.
Authors: Xiaoling Xiang; Shiyou Wu; Ashley Zuverink; Kathryn N Tomasino; Ruopeng An; Joseph A Himle Journal: Aging Ment Health Date: 2019-03-27 Impact factor: 3.658
Authors: Christine Rini; Laura S Porter; Tamara J Somers; Daphne C McKee; Robert F DeVellis; Meredith Smith; Gary Winkel; David K Ahern; Roberta Goldman; Jamie L Stiller; Cara Mariani; Carol Patterson; Joanne M Jordan; David S Caldwell; Francis J Keefe Journal: Pain Date: 2015-05 Impact factor: 7.926
Authors: Kelly A Stearns-Yoder; Arthur T Ryan; Alexandra A Smith; Jeri E Forster; Sean M Barnes; Lisa A Brenner Journal: JMIR Form Res Date: 2022-04-25
Authors: Josien Schuurmans; Juliette L van der Linden; Wouter van Ballegooijen; Jeroen Ruwaard; Max L Stek; Jan H Smit; Heleen Riper Journal: Internet Interv Date: 2016-09-05