Initial open trial of a computerized behavioral activation treatment for depression.
A self-guided computer BA course clearly cut depression for adults, and later studies show the same idea works in single sessions, teens with ID, and yoga classes.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Spates et al. (2013) tested a self-guided computer program that teaches behavioral activation for depression. Adults with moderate to severe depression used the program at home. The team checked mood scores before and after the course.
What they found
Depression scores dropped clearly after people finished the program. The size of the drop was moderate to large. No control group was used, so the team compared each person to their own starting score.
How this fits with other research
Fujiura et al. (2018) tried a single 60-minute BA session for rural adults with HIV. Mood fell a little, but the change was not strong. The short dose may explain the weaker result.
Hong et al. (2021) used BA with a teen who had Down syndrome. They blended video calls and in-person visits. Depression lifted in six weeks. This shows BA can work across age and ability when sessions are tailored.
Jones et al. (2010) ran an open trial of Vinyasa yoga for persistent depression. Mood also improved, yet the tool was movement, not BA. The shared lesson: simple, low-cost programs can cut depression even without pills.
Why it matters
You can give clients a ready-made BA computer course as a first step or homework. It needs no therapist time during use, so it fits busy clinics or wait-lists. Pair it with brief check-ins, like T et al. did, to keep gains strong. Track mood with a short scale so you spot who needs more support.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
This article presents preliminary findings from use of a novel computer program that implements an evidence-based psychological intervention to treat depression based on behavioral activation (BA) therapy. The program is titled "Building a Meaningful Life Through Behavioral Activation". The findings derive from an open trial with moderate to severely depressed individuals (N = 15) in an Intention to Treat sample. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analyses revealed significant change over time on Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) scores, Revised Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores, and significant contribution to BDI-II score variance by participant age over time, change over time in negative automatic thoughts, and change over time in BA scores. Piecewise HLM analyses revealed that significant change over time was associated uniquely with active treatment and not during 3 weeks of baseline measurement. In addition to treatment-associated significant change on all dependent measures over time, effect sizes were in the moderate to large range. Limitations are small sample size, nonrandomized control, research-recruited patients instead of purely treatment-seeking patients, possible rating bias by independent assessors who had knowledge that participants had received active treatment in this open trial, and the influence of additional services received in the post acute-treatment phase by some participants could have contributed to maintenance of gains reported for that period.
Behavior modification, 2013 · doi:10.1177/0145445512455051