Research Article
Alaa H Alsharif, Fahad Al-Tayy
Abstract
Background: Depression becomes one of the commonest mental illness that needs early screening and intervention. Behavioral activation is one of the treatment modalities that can be conducted by trained health care professional. The patient learned how to cope with depression using the behavioral activation technique and that can lead to prevent future relapse. Aim: To apply behavioral activation intervention in the primary health care centers and to be delivered by trained nurses. Objectives: This Randomize controlled trial (RCT) conducted to study the effectiveness of behavioral activation intervention among depressed patients. Methodology: Depressed patients were recruited through a community screening using the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) questionnaire, 16 participants volunteered and randomize for the RCT stage in a ratio of intervention to control (1:1). Post intervention assessment conducted by (BDI-II). Behavioral activation working sheets used during the intervention. Result: The behavioral activation is effective and simple intervention with significant P value among the interventional group (P=0.017). Conclusion: The behavioral activation intervention is effective to manage the depression among the study population. A nationwide survey to accurately determine the cost-effectiveness of behavioral activation program to reduce the burden on health care system is required.