Evaluation of cognitive behavioural treatment for depression after stroke: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of depressed stroke patients.

Design: A series of AB single case experimental design studies.

Subjects: Stroke patients who had been admitted to hospital.

Methods: Patients were identified from a hospital register of stroke patients and sent the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to determine whether they were depressed. Those who were depressed were sent the BDI weekly during a four-week baseline period. They were then treated and continued to complete the BDI weekly over a three-month treatment period. Patients were also assessed pre- and post-treatment on measures of functional independence.

Intervention: Cognitive behaviour therapy.

Results: Of the 626 patients on the Stroke Register, 373 returned questionnaires and 155 were identified as depressed. Of these 136 were visited and 19 agreed to take part. The outcome was evaluated using three methods: visual inspection, comparison of patients during baseline and treatment phases and proportion of scores below lowest baseline. This showed that four patients consistently showed beneficial treatment effects, six patients showed some benefit and nine no benefit. For the group as a whole there was a significant decrease in depression during the treatment period on the BDI (p = 0.02) but no significant change in functional abilities.

Conclusion: Cognitive behavior therapy is an appropriate treatment for some depressed stroke patients and beneficial for some patients. Further evaluation of this treatment with stroke patients is warranted.