Articles Vol. 67 No. 2 02/03/2026

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GROUP BEHAVIORAL ACTIVATION THERAPY INTERVENTION FOR PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSION IN THANH HOA PROVINCE

Huong Pham Thi Thu1,2, Tam Nguyen Thanh3,4, Tan Le Bat5,6, Giang Chu Le Huong5,7, Hong Trinh Van5,6, Ly Tran Thi5,6, Phuong Le Thi5,6, Phuong Nguyen Thi5,6,8,9, Hung Nguyen Quang5,6, Anh Nguyen Thi Lan1,2, Trung Truong Quang10,11, Son Nguyen Thi1,2, Chung Nguyen Thanh8,9, Anh Nguyen Thuy8,9, Anh Le Chau1,2
1 Hanoi Medical University
2 Trường Đại học Y Hà Nội
3 BasicNeeds Vietnam
4 BasicNeeds Việt Nam
5 Thanh Hoa Mental Hospital
6 Bệnh viện Tâm thần Thanh Hóa
7 3Bệnh viện Tâm thần Thanh Hóa
8 Hanoi Medical University, Thanh Hoa branch
9 Trường Đại học Y Hà Nội, phân hiệu Thanh Hóa
10 Vinmec Healthcare System
11 Hệ thống Y tế Vinmec
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v67i2.4353
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Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of group-based behavioral activation therapy at the community level for patients with depression in Thanh Hoa province.

Subject and methods: A controlled intervention study was conducted among 242 participants aged 18-65 years with a PHQ-9 score of ≥ 10 in 6 communes of Quang Xuong district, Thanh Hoa province, from August 2024 to January 2025.

Results: After 8 weeks of group behavioral activation intervention, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in depression (PHQ-9), psychological distress (BSRS-5), behavioral activation (BADS-SF), and resilience (BRCS), whereas the control group exhibited little or no change. Specifically, PHQ-9 scores decreased from 15.86 ± 3.68 to 7.00 ± 3.94 (p < 0.001), and BSRS-5 scores decreased from 13.77 ± 3.28 to 6.56 ± 3.94 (p < 0.001) in the intervention group. Meanwhile, BADS-SF scores increased from 24.22 ± 7.91 to 34.87 ± 6.92 (p < 0.001), and BRCS scores increased from 12.62 ± 4.03 to 15.81 ± 2.54 (p < 0.001). In contrast, the control group showed a tendency toward decline or non-significant changes.

Conclusion: These findings confirm the effectiveness of group-based behavioral activation therapy in reducing depressive symptoms, enhancing behavioral activation, and improving resilience among patients with depression.

Keywords
Effectiveness, group intervention, behavioral activation, depression.
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