0000000000133319
AUTHOR
Heidi Kyllönen
Early sudden gains in an acceptance and values-based intervention: Effects on treatment outcome for depression and psychological flexibility
Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to explore early temporal patterns of change in a treatment delivered by novice therapists. We examined if early sudden gains (ESGs) in a six-session acceptance and values-based intervention would produce superior treatment outcomes when compared to slower improvements. Method The temporal patterns of change of 56 clients diagnosed with depression were analyzed. ESGs were defined as reaching the status of recovered or improved in the Reliable Change Index (RCI) (Jacobson & Truax (1991)) classification after two sessions. The group with ESGs was then compared to participants without ESGs for differences in treatment outcome on measures of symptoma…
A brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention for depression : A randomized controlled trial with 3-year follow-up for the intervention group
Abstract Objective This study examined the outcomes of a brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention for depression delivered by novice therapists. Method Participants (N = 115) were randomized either to the brief (six sessions) ACT or to a waitlist control condition (WLC). Outcomes were assessed with diagnoses of depressive episodes (ICD-10) and questionnaires. Results After the 6-week intervention, diagnostic remission rates were 60% in the ACT and 22% in the control group. Further, 70% of the ACT participants were classified as either recovered or improved. The post-measurement between-group effect size for depression symptoms was large and favored the ACT group (BDI-II, d…
Long-term stability of early sudden gains in an acceptance and values-based intervention
Though previous research has extensively reported that sudden gains are associated with superior treatment results, research on the long-term effects and stability of sudden gains is not as consistent. The current study explored the long-term stability of early sudden gains (ESGs) observed in a brief acceptance and values-based intervention for depression provided by novice therapists. The participants were 56 volunteers diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Among the participants, 23% experienced ESGs, i.e. they reached the status of improved or recovered in the Reliable Change Index (RCI; Jacobson & Truax, 1991) classification after only two sessions. The current study examined the le…