Behavioral Activation Therapy for Subthreshold Depression in Stroke Patients: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Psychotherapy

Background:

• Subthreshold depression (SD) is a significant risk factor for post-stroke depression (PSD).
• Behavioral activation therapy (BAT) is a psychotherapy adapted for individuals with cognitive and communication impairments.
• The effectiveness of BAT for psychological outcomes in stroke patients with SD requires investigation.

Observation:

• A randomized controlled trial involved 70 participants, with 35 in the BAT group and 35 in the control group.
• The BAT group received a six-week intervention, with feasibility assessed by session attendance and acceptability.
• Primary outcomes included the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) at baseline, six weeks, and three months.

Findings:

• BAT intervention was feasible and acceptable, with 94.3% of participants attending at least five sessions.
• No adverse events were reported in either group.
• The BAT group demonstrated significant improvements in CES-D, HAMD-17, and behavioral activation scores compared to the control group, with sustained effects at three months.

Implications:

• BAT is a feasible and efficacious treatment for reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing behavioral activation in stroke patients with SD.
• These findings support the potential of BAT for the primary prevention of post-stroke depression (PSD).
• Further research can explore long-term outcomes and broader implementation of BAT in stroke rehabilitation.