Behavioral activation for depression delivered by drug and alcohol treatment workers : a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background

One in two patients seeking help for substance use disorders (SUDs) has clinically significant depression symptoms. This co-occurrence impairs treatment outcomes, but limited evaluation of the implementation of evidence-based interventions has taken place.

Methods

This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessed the feasibility and potential efficacy of a brief, protocol-driven behavioral activation (BA) intervention delivered by drug and alcohol workers in a community drug and alcohol treatment (CDAT) service. Eligible participants (n = 34) were randomly allocated to either BA (n = 17) or treatment as usual (n = 17) and assessed at baseline and 6-, 12-, and 24-week follow-up. Feasibility outcomes were participant engagement and worker protocol adherence. The primary pilot outcome was severity of depression symptoms (PHQ-9) at 12-week follow-up. Secondary outcomes included percent days abstinent (PDA) in the past month, severity of dependence (SDS), anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), and valued living (VQ) at all follow-up points.

Results

Fifty-nine percent of BA participants attended at least one session and there was 95% adherence to the treatment protocol. BA was associated with significantly reduced depression at 12-week follow-up (PHQ-9 mean difference − 5.69, 95% CI –10.07 to −1.31). BA participants had significantly greater improvements in PDA (mean difference 17.9, 95% CI 0.99 to 34.82) and VQ-Progress (mean difference 5.34, 95% CI 1.47 to 9.22) at 6-week follow-up and PDA (mean difference 27.69, 95% CI 4.44 o 50.95) at 12-week follow-up. The study found no significant between-group differences at 24-week follow-up.

Conclusion

BA implemented by drug and alcohol treatment workers in CDAT appears feasible and may add clinical benefit to usual care for SUD patients with elevated depressive symptoms accessing CDAT. Fully powered RCTs are warranted to better investigate the replicability of these preliminary findings. Methodological limitations are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.