Brief behavioural activation treatment of chronic anxiety in an older adult

Turner, J.S. and Leach, D.J. (2009) Brief behavioural activation treatment of chronic anxiety in an older adult. Behaviour Change, 26 (3). pp. 214-222.

Abstract

A 64-year-old male who met criteria for social and generalised anxiety was treated using a brief behavioural activation (BA) approach. The intervention was delivered in twelve weekly 60-minute individual sessions. The effects of the intervention were assessed using a simple A-B-C phase change with repeated measurement design. Change in reported anxiety was recorded across phases. Decreased scores in self-reported anxiety measures were obtained and significant clinical improvement was maintained during a 4-month no treatment maintenance phase. This preliminary investigation suggests BA could be an efficient and effective treatment for anxiety and that replications are warranted.