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A preliminary trial conducted by the University of Exeter, supported by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), has introduced Augmented Depression Therapy (ADepT) as a potential breakthrough in the treatment of depression. These findings have been published in the journal EClinical Medicine.
One of the central features of depression is anhedonia, characterized by a reduced interest in or pleasure from activities, as well as a deficit in overall well-being. However, conventional depression psychotherapies like CBT often fall short in addressing these aspects comprehensively. ADepT has been developed to prioritize not only the reduction of depressive symptoms but also the enhancement of well-being.
Professor Barney Dunn, a Clinical Psychology expert at the University of Exeter, led the trial and stated, “Depression is a pervasive issue with significant societal and economic consequences. Our current best treatments, such as CBT, only lead to recovery in approximately 60 percent of individuals, with about half of them experiencing a relapse within two years. ADepT encourages clients to adopt a fresh perspective on their difficulties, with the aim of learning to live well alongside their depressive symptoms. The primary objective is to assist clients in identifying what truly matters to them in various aspects of life, taking steps toward aligning their lives with these values, and effectively managing challenges and opportunities. This approach enables them to experience well-being and pleasure.”
Katie, who has personal experience with ADepT, shared, “I’ve had a long history of utilizing mental health services, and it almost became my identity over the years. My previous treatment focus had always been on eliminating the symptoms of mental illness. ADepT has shifted my focus towards enhancing well-being, allowing me to be more authentic and aligned with my values. ADepT is guiding me in making decisions that feel right and helping me establish an identity beyond mental illness, which is truly remarkable. It has taught me how to find joy in the good things in life even during challenging weeks. It has truly transformed my life.”
This pilot randomized controlled trial is the first to evaluate the effects of ADepT. It involved 82 adults with moderate to severe depression, all exhibiting signs of anhedonia, who were primarily recruited from NHS Talking Therapy (formerly known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapy) service waiting lists in Devon, UK.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 20 individual sessions of ADepT or CBT, administered at the University of Exeter AccEPT clinic and supported by Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Exeter Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx), and the University of Exeter Psychology Department. Researchers conducted assessments at the beginning of the pilot and at six, 12, and 18 months.
The results indicated that ADepT was at least as effective as, and potentially superior to, CBT in terms of enhancing well-being and reducing depression at the conclusion of treatment and during extended follow-up. Furthermore, ADepT proved to be cost-effective, with similar delivery costs to CBT but resulting in greater improvements in quality of life.
Should these findings be replicated in a subsequent definitive trial, it would suggest that ADepT holds both clinical and economic advantages within healthcare settings. Additionally, ADepT has been designed to be deliverable by existing CBT therapists with minimal additional training.
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