title: Behavioural activation delivered by the non-specialist: phase II randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Behavioural activation appears as effective as cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) in the treatment of depression. If equally effective, then behavioural activation may be the preferred treatment option because it may be suitable for delivery by therapists with less training. This is the first randomised controlled trial to look at this possibility.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether generic mental health workers can deliver effective behavioural activation as a step-three high-intensity intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN27045243) comparing behavioural activation (n=24) with treatment as usual (n=23) in primary care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intention-to-treat analyses indicated a difference in favour of behavioural activation of -15.79 (95% CI -24.55 to -7.02) on the Beck Depression Inventory-II and Work and Social Adjustment Scale (mean difference -11.12, 95% CI -17.53 to -4.70).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effective behavioural activation appears suitable for delivery by generic mental health professionals without previous experience as therapists. Large-scale trial comparisons with an active comparator (CBT) are needed.
authors.affiliation: Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust and Mental Health Research Centre, Durham University, Health Centre, Chester Le Street, Co Durham, DH3 3UR, UK. david.ekers@tewv.nhs.uk
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ekers
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McMillan
authors.forename: J Martin
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bland
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gilbody
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult