RecruitingACTRN12609000722291

The Effectiveness of Behavioural Activation treatment with high worriers

For high level worriers, is Behaviour Activation treatment more effective than waitlist control to reduce excessive worrying

Sponsor

Xi Liu

Enrollment

60 participants

Start Date

Sep 28, 2009

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Worrying

Summary

The Behavioural Activation model highlights the centrality of patterns of avoidance and withdrawal. The conceptualisation for using BA with depression by Dimidjian and colleagues has received strong empirical support. The premise of BA treatment on depression focuses on reducing the repetitive negative thinking in depression- rumination; and assisting individuals to reverse avoidant behaviours, particularly in areas of occupational or daily-life routine demands. Recent research has pointed to distinct similarity in the features of worry and rumination, both sharing a common feature of repetitive negative thought and both has implications on problem orientation (approach versus avoidance) and problem resolution. The current study aims to adapt the BA treatment for depression to a group with excessive and uncontrollable worry tendency. The purpose of the current study is to determine the efficacy of using Behaviour Activation to treat excessive and uncontrollable worry. The study may also have implications for future directions of a transdiagnostic treatment approach to depression and anxiety disorders where excessive worry is a maintaining factor.

Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 18 YearssMax Age: 100 Yearss

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing whether a type of psychological therapy called Behavioural Activation (BA) can help people who worry excessively and uncontrollably. Excessive worry is a hallmark of generalised anxiety disorder and is closely linked to depression. Behavioural Activation works by helping people re-engage with meaningful activities and reverse patterns of avoidance that maintain negative thinking. Most BA research has been done for depression — this trial adapts the approach for people with high levels of chronic worry. Participants will complete standardised worry questionnaires and undergo a short treatment program. You may be eligible if: - You are 18 years of age or older - You score in the high to moderate range on a standard worry scale (Penn State Worry Questionnaire) You may NOT be eligible if: - You have active psychosis - You currently have thoughts of suicide - You have an unmanaged substance use disorder (dependence or abuse) Talk to your doctor about whether this trial might be right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

Interested in this trial?

Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.

Interventions

The treatment includes eight two hour sessions over eight weeks and will be conducted in a group format. Two therapists will be present at each session. A treatment manual will be adapted for Worry t

The treatment includes eight two hour sessions over eight weeks and will be conducted in a group format. Two therapists will be present at each session. A treatment manual will be adapted for Worry treatment based on the Behavioural Activation handbook, Overcoming Depression one step at a time (Addis, M & Martell, C., 2004). The primary focus of Behavioural Activation (BA) treatment is in the use of functional analysis to provide individuals with psychosocial education to differentiate between helpful or unhelpful thinking. Individuals are then coached to shift towards more adaptive thinking styles. BA starts in functional analysis focusing on assessment and treatment of avoidance behaviours- variability of (1) Worry (e.g., differences between helpful and unhelpful thinking about problems); (2) Associated behaviours and (3) Counter-worry behaviours such as effective engagement in tasks. This detailed analysis of context and function is then used to help clients: (1) Recognize warning signs for worry; (2) Develop alternative strategies and contingency plans; some helpful alternative behaviour include allowing worry to cue the clients to take action, attending to their experience, etc.; (3) Alter environmental and behavioural contingencies maintaining worry.

Locations(1)

Australia

View Full Details on ANZCTR

For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.

Visit

ACTRN12609000722291

Related Trials

Text Message Safety Behavior Fading for Pathological Worry

NCT073910201 location