Behavioral Activation for Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The present study is a randomized controlled trial that will evaluate two versions of behavioral activation (BA); one version which is a standard BA program and one which is a motor enhanced BA program (mBA). In both programs, the patient will receive all standard BA interventions, whereas these - in the mBA program - will be supplemented with interventions focused on noticing and manipulating posture and movement associated with action initiation. The mBA program builds upon recent evidence pointing to motor manipulations of posture and movement as having the potential to assist in action initiation and thus following through with the planned activity schedule. Previous research has shown that patient compliance with the activity schedule is causally associated with depression reduction, which will be explored as a mediator of treatment gains.