Secondary outcomes of the guided self-help behavioral activation and physical activity for depression trial. (4th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soucy, Isabelle; Provencher, Martin D.; Fortier, Michelle; McFadden, Taylor
• Is Part Of: Journal of mental health. Volume 28:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 410
• Page End: 418
• Publication Date: 2019-07-04
• Subjects: Behavioral activation -- physical activity -- depression -- affect -- life satisfaction -- self-efficacy -- loneliness; Mental health -- Periodicals; Mental health services -- Periodicals; 362.2
• DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2018.1466031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8237

Abstract

Abstract: Background: This article presents secondary outcome variables from a randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of two guided self-help interventions for the treatment of depression: behavioral activation (BA) and physical activity (PA). Both interventions resulted in significant reductions in depressive symptoms compared to the wait-list control group, however the mechanisms by which these interventions influenced depression were not presented. Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to compare changes in secondary outcome variables to gain insight into the mechanisms by which reactivation interventions reduce depressive symptoms. Results: Mixed-model analysis of variances (ANOVAs) revealed significant increases in life satisfaction (Main effect: F(3, 91.71) = 4.63, p < 0.01) and self-efficacy (Main effect: F(3, 91.32) = 4.05, p < 0.01) as well as significant decreases in negative affect (Main effect: F (2, 75.88) = 5.24, p < 0.01) and loneliness (Main effect: F (2, 71.78) = 7.49, p < 0.01) in both interventions at pre-, mid-, post-intervention and follow-up. The group x time interactions were not significant, suggesting that the PA and BA interventions had comparable effects over time. Conclusion: These findings provide insight into the potential mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of guided self-help PA and BA interventions on depressive symptoms.