Impact of Activation Therapy for Inpatients With Major Depression: Primary and Secondary Outcomes From a Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Inpatient depression is associated with high morbidity and significant cognitive impairment. Inpatient treatment often focuses on short-term stabilization with medication. Readmission rates are high. We examined the impact of a novel psychological intervention, activation therapy (AT, Behavioural Activation combined with Cognitive Activation), versus treatment as usual (TAU) on readmission rates, and cognitive, functional, and depression outcomes, in inpatient depression. Method: A randomised controlled trial in adults hospitalised with a major depressive episode. Inpatients were randomised to AT (8 individual sessions over 2 weeks) or not (TAU). Key time points were baseline (on admission) and 14 weeks after baseline. The primary outcome was psychiatric hospital readmission rates within 12 weeks of discharge. Secondary outcomes were cognition, general functioning, depression, and ‘deactivation’ symptoms (change from baseline to 14 weeks). Results: Ninety-seven individuals were randomised to AT (n = 47) or TAU (n = 50). Readmission rates did not differ between treatment arms (34% vs. 40%; OR = 0.76, CI = 0.30–1.90). Significant improvements for verbal learning and memory (d = 0.42) and general functioning (d = 0.58) were in favour of the AT versus TAU arms. Per protocol analysis showed additional significant effects of AT on psychomotor speed (d = 0.64) and clinician-rated depression symptoms (d = 0.56). No significant effects were observed for other secondary outcomes (subjective cognition, self-reported depression symptoms, and deactivation symptoms). Conclusions: The AT intervention showed durable, pro-cognitive effects. Further adaptations of AT, such as the addition of maintenance sessions as patients transition to community-based care, need exploring.