Hiệu quả can thiệp liệu pháp kích hoạt hành vi cho nhóm người bệnh trầm cảm tại tỉnh Thanh Hóa

Depression remains a pervasive global public health concern, profoundly impacting individuals' social, occupational functioning, and overall quality of life. In Vietnam, where mental health infrastructure and resources are often limited, the prevalence of depression in the community remains high, necessitating accessible and effective interventions. Psychological therapies delivered at the community level, particularly those leveraging non-specialist resources, have emerged as a promising solution. Among these, behavioral activation has demonstrated considerable efficacy, and its group-based application offers enhanced accessibility and cost-effectiveness. However, robust evidence from controlled intervention studies in community settings within Vietnam is still needed to firmly establish its viability. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of group-based behavioral activation therapy in reducing depressive symptoms among patients in Thanh Hoa province.

Researchers, public health professionals, mental health practitioners, policymakers, and academics interested in community mental health interventions, behavioral activation therapy, and depression management in developing countries.

This controlled intervention study investigated the efficacy of group-based behavioral activation therapy for patients experiencing depression within community settings in Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam. Recognizing the widespread impact of depression and the constraints of mental health resources, the research sought to provide robust evidence for an accessible and scalable therapeutic approach. Conducted among 242 participants aged 18-65 with a PHQ-9 score of ≥ 10, the study involved an 8-week intervention where participants were randomly assigned to either a group behavioral activation therapy arm or a control group receiving educational materials. Key outcome measures included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression, the Brief Symptom Rating Scale-5 (BSRS-5) for psychological distress, the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale-Short Form (BADS-SF) for behavioral activation, and the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) for resilience. The findings demonstrated significant improvements in the intervention group across all measured parameters, contrasting with the minimal changes observed in the control group. Specifically, participants receiving group behavioral activation therapy experienced a substantial reduction in depression symptoms (PHQ-9 scores decreased from 15.86 to 7.00, p < 0.001) and psychological distress (BSRS-5 scores decreased from 13.77 to 6.56, p < 0.001). Concurrently, their behavioral activation levels significantly increased (BADS-SF scores from 24.22 to 34.87, p < 0.001), alongside an enhancement in resilience (BRCS scores from 12.62 to 15.81, p < 0.001). These results underscore the effectiveness and feasibility of group intervention in reducing depressive symptoms and fostering proactive coping mechanisms. The study highlights the potential of such community-based approaches to improve mental health outcomes, enhance accessibility to care, and empower individuals through increased behavioral activation and resilience, offering a sustainable model for mental healthcare in resource-limited contexts like Vietnam.