Behavioral activation program for reducing depressive symptoms among the bereaved of cancer patients: A feasibility and preliminary effectiveness study in Japan.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a behavioral activation (BA) program for the bereaved of cancer patients toward reducing depressive symptoms.

Methods: The BA program for the bereaved was a partially modified version for cancer patients. This program encompassed a preinterview and seven 50-minute sessions every 1-2 weeks, using worksheets, with homework assignments each day. To examine feasibility, the completion rates of intervention and 3 months of follow-up were examined. To examine the preliminary effectiveness, psychological symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9; primary outcome) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) for depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety. These were evaluated 3 times: before, immediately after, and 3-month post-intervention. Non-parametric tests were used for comparison of scores at 3 time points and calculation of effect size.

Results: Of the 42 bereaved who were contacted, 21 were eligible and 20 were participated, while 19 and 18 were in the completed intervention and completed 3-month post-intervention categories (intervention completion rate was 95% and follow-up completion rate was 90%). PHQ-9, BDI-II, and GAD-7 showed significant reductions immediately and 3 months after the intervention compared to pre-intervention, and the effect sizes were all large after 3 months, although they were less than immediately after (PHQ-9: 0.89, 0.71; BDI-II: 0.88, 0.67; GAD-7: 0.57, 0.53).

Significance of results: This study indicated that the BA program for the bereaved of cancer patients was feasible and effective vis-à-vis reducing depressive symptoms.