Behavioural activation therapy for depression in adults

Author(s)

UPHOFF E., et al

Publisher(s):

Cochrane Collaboration

Publication year:

2020

This systematic review sought to find out how well behavioural activation therapy works for depression in adults. Behavioural activation is a type of psychological therapy that encourages a person to develop or get back into activities which are meaningful to them. The therapy involves scheduling activities and monitoring behaviours and looking at specific situations where changing these behaviours and activities may be helpful. The review looked at 53 randomised controlled studies involving 5495 participants and conducted in 14 countries. The review found that behavioural activation may treat depression better than receiving usual care. It is unclear whether it works better than medication or being on a waiting list, and there was no evidence for this outcome comparing behavioural activation to no treatment or placebo treatment. There was no differences between behavioural activation and CBT in treating depression. Although there was not enough evidence to compare behavioural activation reliably with other psychotherapies, it may work better than humanistic therapy, and no differences were found between behavioural activation and third‐wave CBT or psychodynamic therapy. No evidence was available comparing behavioural activation to integrative therapies. This systematic review suggests that behavioural activation may be more effective than humanistic therapy, medication, and treatment as usual, and that it may be no less effective than CBT, psychodynamic therapy, or being placed on a waiting list. However, confidence in these findings is limited due to concerns about the certainty of the evidence. (Edited publisher abstract)