title: A community-based pilot randomised controlled study of life skills classes for individuals with low mood and depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended for the treatment of depression and anxiety. However, access is limited. Low-intensity approaches such as guided CBT self-help (bibliotherapy) can increase access to treatment and is recommended by UK guidelines. No previous research has explored the provision of group-based guidance/support for a bibliotherapy approach for depression and anxiety in community settings. The objective was to carry out a pilot study of a group guided self-help intervention, using community based recruitment methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised controlled trial comparing an 8 week CBT group guided self-help intervention to usual care. Recruitment and the delivery of the intervention were carried out in Glasgow and Derry/Londonderry in partnership with national depression charities. Fifty-three people were randomised, however we refer only to the forty-six participants who provided baseline data: 16 males and 30 females, aged 16 or over, with a PHQ-9 score of ≥ 5, were recruited from the community. The mean age of the sample was 43.7 (sd = 13) and 93.5% of participants had suffered from low mood for a year or more.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was effective recruitment, randomisation, uptake and adherence with 21 Immediate Access (IA) and 25 Delayed Access Control (DAC) participants. The intervention was highly acceptable to participants attending on average 4.46 of the 8 sessions (sd 3.06), 65.2% attended more than half of all sessions. The mean satisfaction on the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire was 28 out of 32 (sd 4.8). The provisional results in the pilot suggest the intervention may improve both anxiety and depression. At three months, data collection was achieved from 74% of participants. The trial successfully provided estimates of the sample size needed for the future planned trial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-intensity group-based classes may offer an alternative method of managing depression and anxiety and warrant further research.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN84893887 . Registered 3 November 2011.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Administration Building, 1055 Great Western Road Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 0XH, Scotland. c.mcclay.1@research.gla.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Carrie-Anne
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McClay
authors.affiliation: AWARE Defeat Depression, 56 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7AJ, Ireland. drkcollins@btconnect.com.
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Administration Building, 1055 Great Western Road Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 0XH, Scotland. Lynsay.matthews@uws.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Lynsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, Boyd Orr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland. caroline.haig@glasgow.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haig
authors.affiliation: Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, Boyd Orr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland. alex.mcconnachie@glasgow.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McConnachie
authors.affiliation: General Practice & Primary Care, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, 1 Horselethill Road, G12 9LX, Glasgow, Scotland. jill.morrison@glasgow.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: AWARE Defeat Depression, 56 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7AJ, Ireland. pat@aware-ni.org.
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Administration Building, 1055 Great Western Road Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 0XH, Scotland. louisemewan@live.co.uk.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.affiliation: Action on Depression, 11 Alva Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4PH, Scotland. ilenad@actionondepression.org.
authors.forename: Ilena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Day
authors.affiliation: AWARE Defeat Depression, 56 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7AJ, Ireland. McAnee-G@email.ulster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Grainne
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McAnee
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, 1st Floor Administration Building, 1055 Great Western Road Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 0XH, Scotland. chris.williams@glasgow.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012657:Self-Help Groups