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Adapted low-intensity CBT lessens depression among patients with autism
Low-intensity cognitive behavioral therapy, when adapted and informed by behavioral action, can mitigate depression among adults with autism, according to findings of a pilot randomized controlled trial conducted in the United Kingdom and published in Autism.
“This psychological treatment for depression, which is widely available through the National Health Service, is accessible to and feasible for autistic adults if adapted in line with their needs,” Ailsa Russell, PhD, of the University of Bath’s Centre for Applied Autism Research, told Healio Psychiatry.
According to Russell and colleagues, prior research has highlighted the benefits of low-intensity CBT including behavioral activation for treating depression, which frequently co-occurs with autism. However, they noted that it is unknown whether this or other psychosocial treatments that are effective for depression meet the needs of those with autism, who have neurocognitive and social communication differences. To investigate the effectiveness of adapting low-intensity CBT for this patient population, the researchers recruited 70 individuals with autism and co-occurring depression from the NHS adult autism services and research cohorts. They randomly assigned half to receive the adapted intervention, which was guided self-help through materials adapted for autism, training and a manual for therapists to support participants in their use of the materials. The other half received treatment that is ordinarily available.
The researchers measured outcomes at 10, 16 and 24 weeks and found that those in the guided self-help group had higher rates of retention than the treatment-as-usual group. Further, the intervention was well-received, with 86% of participants having attended the pre-defined “dose” of five treatment sessions and 71% having attended all sessions.
“I have been very encouraged by the findings,” Russell said. “We now need to test adapted CBT in a clinical effectiveness study.” – by Joe Gramigna
Disclosures: Healio Psychiatry could not determine relevant financial disclosures at time of publication.