Impact of UPLIFT, a group telehealth intervention, on symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults with CF.
Michael S Schechter, Andrea Molzhon, Robin S Everhart, Le Kang, Rachel Weiskittle, Brittany Castleberry, Nancy J Thompson
Journal of cystic fibrosis : official journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society March 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2024.11.008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 66 |
| Population | Adults with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention; follow-up immediately after and 6 and 12 months post-intervention |
| Measures | Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognitive behavioral therapy Cystic fibrosis Telehealth |
| Key findings | UPLIFT, an 8-week group telehealth mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention, produced short-term improvement in depression symptoms: PHQ-9 change from baseline immediately post-treatment was -2.321 (SD 0.684) in the UPLIFT group versus 0.362 (SD 0.656) in treatment as usual (p = .005). Differences persisted but were not statistically significant at 6 and 12 months. Anxiety (GAD-7) improvements were suggested but not statistically confirmed. |
Abstract
Despite high rates of anxiety and depression, research regarding the effect of psychological interventions on people with CF (pwCF) is limited. We evaluated the impact of UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts), a group telehealth intervention using mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (MBCT), on symptoms of anxiety and depression in pwCF. This multicenter randomized trial compared changes in symptoms of anxiety and/or depression in adult pwCF who participated in the 8-week UPLIFT intervention to a treatment-as-usual (TAU) group. Follow up assessments occurred immediately after and 6- and 12-months post-intervention. Primary outcome measures were change in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scores modeled in separate linear mixed-effects models. Sixty-six pwCF participated. At baseline, 43 (65.15%) had some minimal symptoms of depression (PHQ-9≥5) and 44 (66.67%) had some minimal symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7≥5). During the 12 month follow up period, the overall change in PHQ-9 was greater in the UPLIFT group compared to TAU (p = .049). Analysis of individual time points showed a statistically significant difference between groups in change from baseline immediately post-treatment (-2.321, SD 0.684 vs 0.362, SD 0.656, p = .005); differences persisted but were not statistically significant at 6 and 12 months. Similar trends for changes in GAD-7 were non-significant. Participation in UPLIFT, a group telehealth intervention using MBCT, provides short-term improvement in symptoms of depression, as measured by changes in PHQ9. Improvement in symptoms of anxiety were suggested but could not be statistically confirmed.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse Psychotherapy Research March 1, 2003
- Group and Individual Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Are Both Effective: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in Depressed People with a Somatic Disease Mindfulness July 21, 2016
- Distance delivery of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: project UPLIFT. Epilepsy & Behavior November 2010