Structured coaching interventions for anxiety and depressive disorders in Primary Care: A randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the effectiveness of structured coaching interventions on anxiety, depression, emotional intelligence, and quality of life in adults with anxiety and/or depressive disorders in Primary Care.

Pilot randomized, controlled, open-label clinical trial. SITE: San Gregorio Health Center, Telde (Gran Canaria, Spain), Primary Care setting.

Thirty adults aged 18-65 years with anxiety and/or depressive disorders were randomized (1:1:1) to control, face-to-face coaching, or telephone coaching.

Five weekly structured coaching sessions based on the GROW model were delivered face-to-face or by telephone. The control group received usual care.

Primary outcomes were anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Scale, HAS) and depression (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, MADRS). Secondary outcomes included emotional intelligence (Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24) and quality of life (EuroQol-5D), assessed at baseline, one month, and five months.

A significant time×treatment interaction was observed for anxiety (p<0.001). Both coaching modalities achieved greater reductions than control at one month (p=0.002) and five months (p=0.019). Face-to-face coaching showed a stronger short-term effect, whereas telephone coaching demonstrated more sustained improvement. No significant effects were found for depressive symptoms. Emotional regulation improved at one month in the face-to-face group (p=0.013) but was not sustained. Quality of life improved over time without between-group differences.

Structured coaching was associated with reduced anxiety symptoms in Primary Care. These findings should be interpreted cautiously and support the feasibility of larger trials.