Abstract
Background
Older adults were more likely to be socially isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic, with increased risk of depression and loneliness. The Behavioural Activation in Social Isolation (BASIL+) trial investigated whether a Behavioural Activation (BA) intervention delivered remotely could mitigate depression and loneliness in at-risk older people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
We undertook a multicentre randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN63034289] of BA to mitigate depression and loneliness among older adults (65+) with multiple long-term health conditions, including low mood or depression. BA was delivered remotely (telephone or video call) with intervention participants (n=218). Control participants received usual care, with existing COVID wellbeing resources (n=217).
Results
Participants engaged with an average of 5.2 (SD 2.9) of 8 remote BA sessions. Adjusted mean difference (AMD) for depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9) at 3 months [primary outcome] was -1.65 (95% CI -2.54 to -0.75, p<0.001). There was an effect for BA on emotional loneliness at 3 months (AMD -0.37, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.06, p=0.02), but not social loneliness (AMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.33 to 0.23, p=0.72). For participants with lower severity depression symptoms (5-9 on the PHQ-9) at baseline, there was an effect AMD PHQ9 1.13 (95% CI –2.26 to 0.01, p=0.051), though this was less pronounced than for those scoring 10 or more at baseline (-2.48, 95% CI -3.81 to 1.16, p=0.0002).
Conclusion
Behavioural activation is an effective and potentially scalable intervention that can reduce symptoms of depression and emotional loneliness in at-risk groups in the short term. The findings of this trial add to the range of strategies to improve the mental health of older adults with multiple long-term conditions. These results can be helpful to policy makers beyond the pandemic in reducing the global burden of depression and addressing the health impacts of loneliness, particularly in at-risk groups.