The Impact of Integrating Physical Health into a Brief CBT Approach for Medically Ill Veterans

The current study explored the use and preliminary outcomes of physical health treatment elements integrated into a traditional brief cognitive behavioral therapy (bCBT) approach for medically ill veterans with depression and/or anxiety. Data were collected as part of a pragmatic randomized trial examining patient outcomes of bCBT versus an enhanced usual care condition. bCBT was delivered to participants by Veterans Health Administration (VA) mental health providers in the primary care setting. Using a skill-based approach, providers and participants selected modules from a list of intervention strategies. Modules included Taking Control of Your Physical Health, Using Thoughts to Improve Wellness, Increasing Pleasant Activities, and Learning How to Relax. Skill module use and impact on treatment completion and clinical outcomes were explored for participants randomized to bCBT who received at least one skill module (n = 127). Utilization data showed that participants and providers most commonly selected the physical health module for the first skill session. Receiving the physical health and thoughts modules earlier in treatment were associated with a higher likelihood of treatment completion (defined as four or more sessions). Preliminary outcome data suggest that the physical health skill module was equally effective or superior to other bCBT skill modules. Results suggest that incorporating physical health elements with a bCBT approach hold the potential to positively impact treatment engagement/completion and may result in improved outcomes for medically ill patient populations.