title: Sudden gains in behavioural activation for depression.
abstract: Sudden gains have been linked to improved outcomes in cognitive behaviour therapy for depression. The relationship between sudden gains and outcome is less clear in other treatment modalities, including interpersonal psychotherapy and supportive expressive therapy, which may indicate different mechanisms of change between treatment modalities. The current study examined sudden gains in adults meeting diagnostic criteria for depression (N = 40) offered up to 12 sessions of behavioural activation treatment. Sudden gains were found in 42.5% of the sample. Sudden gains occurred early (median pre-gain session 2) and were related to outcome: those who experienced a sudden gain had significantly lower post-treatment scores on the PHQ-9. Furthermore, the proportion meeting the reliable and clinically significant change criteria at end of treatment was higher in the sudden gain group. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the mechanisms by which sudden gains relate to therapy outcome in behavioural activation.
authors: Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, Charles Thackrah Building, University of Leeds, 101 Clarendon Road, Leeds LS2 9LJ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: c.masterson@leeds.ac.uk.
authors: Ciara
authors: C
authors: Masterson
authors: School of Medicine Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, United Kingdom.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Ekers
authors: Hull York Medical School and Department of Health Sciences, University of York, United Kingdom.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Gilbody
authors: University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, United Kingdom.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Richards
authors: Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom.
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Toner-Clewes
authors: Hull York Medical School and Department of Health Sciences, University of York, United Kingdom.
authors: Dean
authors: D
authors: McMillan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Behavioural activation; Depression; Sudden gains