TY - JOUR
T1 - A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial of a Brief Early Intervention for Adolescent Depression that targets emotional mental images and memory specificity (IMAGINE trial).
AU - Pile, Victoria
AU - Smith, Patrick
AU - Leamy, Mary
AU - Oliver, Abigail
AU - Bennett, Eleanor
AU - Blackwell, Simon
AU - Meiser-Stedman, Richard
AU - Stringer, Dominic
AU - Dunn, Barnaby
AU - Holmes, Emily
AU - Lau, Jennifer
PY - 2021/7/7
Y1 - 2021/7/7
N2 - Brief, evidence-based interventions for adolescent depression are urgently required, 25 particularly for school-settings. Cognitive mechanisms research suggests dysfunctional 26 mental imagery and overgeneral memory could be promising targets to improve mood. This 27 feasibility randomised controlled trial with parallel symptomatic groups (n=56) compared a 28 novel imagery-based cognitive behavioural intervention (ICBI) to non-directive supportive 29 therapy (NDST) in school settings. Blind assessments (of clinical symptoms and cognitive 30 mechanisms) took place pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up three months later. 31 The trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the methodology and 32 interventions, and estimate the likely range of effects of the intervention on self-reported 33 depression. The pre-defined criteria for proceeding to a definitive RCT were met: full 34 recruitment occurred within eleven months; retention was 89%; ICBI acceptability was above 35 satisfactory; and no harm was indicated. Intention-to-treat analysis found large effects in 36 favour of ICBI (relative to NDST) at post-intervention in reducing depressive symptoms (d=-37 1.34, 95% CI [-1.87, -0.80]) and improving memory specificity (d=0.79 [0.35, 1.23]), a key 38 cognitive target. The findings suggest that ICBI may not only improve mood but also 39 strengthen abilities associated with imagining and planning the future, critical skills at this 40 life stage.
AB - Brief, evidence-based interventions for adolescent depression are urgently required, 25 particularly for school-settings. Cognitive mechanisms research suggests dysfunctional 26 mental imagery and overgeneral memory could be promising targets to improve mood. This 27 feasibility randomised controlled trial with parallel symptomatic groups (n=56) compared a 28 novel imagery-based cognitive behavioural intervention (ICBI) to non-directive supportive 29 therapy (NDST) in school settings. Blind assessments (of clinical symptoms and cognitive 30 mechanisms) took place pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up three months later. 31 The trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the methodology and 32 interventions, and estimate the likely range of effects of the intervention on self-reported 33 depression. The pre-defined criteria for proceeding to a definitive RCT were met: full 34 recruitment occurred within eleven months; retention was 89%; ICBI acceptability was above 35 satisfactory; and no harm was indicated. Intention-to-treat analysis found large effects in 36 favour of ICBI (relative to NDST) at post-intervention in reducing depressive symptoms (d=-37 1.34, 95% CI [-1.87, -0.80]) and improving memory specificity (d=0.79 [0.35, 1.23]), a key 38 cognitive target. The findings suggest that ICBI may not only improve mood but also 39 strengthen abilities associated with imagining and planning the future, critical skills at this 40 life stage.
KW - Depression; Adolescence; Mental imagery; Imagery rescripting; Autobiographical memory; Memory specificity training
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2021.103876
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2021.103876
M3 - Article
SN - 0005-7967
VL - 143
JO - Behaviour Research and Therapy
JF - Behaviour Research and Therapy
ER -