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Computerized CBT for Adolescent Depression (“Stressbusters”) and its Initial Evaluation Through an Extended Case Series

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 January 2009

Paul Abeles ,
Chrissie Verduyn ,
Alexander Robinson ,
Patrick Smith ,
William Yule  and
Judy Proudfoot
Paul Abeles*
Affiliation:
Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospital NHS Trust, UK
Chrissie Verduyn
Affiliation:
Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospital NHS Trust, UK
Alexander Robinson
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
Patrick Smith
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
William Yule
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
Judy Proudfoot
Affiliation:
University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
*
Reprint requests to Paul Abeles, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Department of Clinical Psychology, Booth Hall Children's Hospital, Charlestown Road, Manchester M9 7AA, UK. E-mail: paul.abeles@cmmc.nhs.uk
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Abstract

Background: “Stressbusters” is an interactive computer software programme based on a clinically effective face-to-face CBT protocol for young people with depression. It was designed for teenagers with mild to moderate depression, and comprises eight 45-minute sessions. Method: Twenty-three young people (aged 12–16; mean age 14.87 years) with symptoms of depression were recruited from CAMHS teams in Manchester and London, and received the Stressbusters treatment (range 1 – 8 sessions, mode 8 sessions). Results: On the K-SADS at initial assessment, 95% met diagnostic criteria for a depressive disorder, with a high group mean score of 35.48 (SD 9.84) on the MFQ. Post-treatment, 22% of young people met criteria for a depressive disorder, with the group mean score on the MFQ falling significantly below clinical cut-off to 20.32 (SD 11.75). These gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Significant improvements were also found in the adolescents' global functioning (CGAS), self-reported anxiety (RCMAS), depressive cognitions and attributions (ATQ and CTI-C), and in adolescent- and parent-reported emotional and behavioural difficulties (SDQ). Conclusions: Taken together, these results provide promising preliminary data for the clinical efficacy of Stressbusters as a valid form of CCBT for adolescents with depression.

Keywords

Computerized CBTdepression in teenagerscase series
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 37 , Issue 2 , March 2009 , pp. 151 - 165
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2009

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