Individual behavioral activation in the treatment of depression: A meta analysis

ObjectiveBehavioral activation (BA) is an extensively examined treatment for depression which is relatively simple to apply in comparison to other psychotherapies. BA aims to increase positive interactions between a person and the environment. All previous meta-analyses focused on BA in groups and guided self-help, but none focused on BA in individual psychotherapy. The goal of the current meta-analysis is to examine the pooled effects of trials comparing individual BA to control conditions.MethodsWe conducted systematic searches and conducted random effects meta-analyses to examine the effects of BA.ResultsWe included 22 randomized controlled trials (with 819 patients) comparing individual behavioral activation with waitlist, usual care, or other control conditions on distal treatment outcomes. Nine studies were rated as low risk of bias. We found a large effect (Hedges' g = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.57; 1.1) with high heterogeneity (75%; 95% CI: 62; 83). When only studies with low risk of bias were considered, the effect size was still significant (g = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.09; 1.03), with high heterogeneity (I-2 = 80%; 95% CI: 66; 89; prediction interval: -0.85; 1.98).ConclusionBA is an effective, relatively simple type of therapy that can be applied broadly in differing populations/.

Automated summary

Behavioral activation (BA) is a simple and effective therapy for depression that aims to increase positive interactions between individuals and their environment. Previous meta-analyses have focused on BA in groups and guided self-help, but this study examines BA in individual psychotherapy. The results show that individual BA has a large effect on distal treatment outcomes, making it a valuable and versatile therapy option.