Positive Affect Treatment for Depression

(PAT4ELA Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen by Kate R Kuhlman

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of California, Irvine

Must not be taking: Antidepressants, Steroids

Disqualifiers: Manic, Psychotic, Autism, Diabetes, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether Positive Affect Training (PAT) can help adolescents who have faced early life adversities feel more positive emotions and reduce their risk of depression. The study involves 22 adolescents and measures their mood over several months to see if PAT is effective.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you are not currently taking an antidepressant or any medications that affect immune functioning daily, like certain asthma or allergy medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the Positive Affect Treatment (PAT) for depression?

Research on similar treatments, like Positive Psychotherapy and Positive Cognitive Behavior Therapy, shows that focusing on increasing positive emotions can significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve overall well-being. These treatments have been found to be effective in both group and individual settings, suggesting that PAT may also help people with depression by enhancing positive feelings. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Positive Affect Treatment (PAT) safe for humans?

The research articles do not provide specific safety data for Positive Affect Treatment (PAT), but they suggest that treatments focusing on increasing positive emotions, like PAT, are generally well-received and can be beneficial for mood improvement without mentioning any safety concerns. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

How is Positive Affect Treatment (PAT) different from other treatments for depression?

Positive Affect Treatment (PAT) is unique because it focuses on increasing positive emotions and well-being, rather than just reducing negative symptoms. This approach targets core symptoms like anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), which may respond better to interventions aimed at enhancing positivity. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Research Team

Kate R Kuhlman

Principal Investigator

UC Irvine

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adolescents who have faced two or more types of childhood adversity but do not currently suffer from major depressive disorder. It aims to help those at risk for depression due to early life challenges.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 12 and 16 years old.

Exposed to 2 or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Exclusion Criteria

Parent-reported diagnosis of intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder

I have experienced manic or psychotic symptoms in the past or currently.

I have a long-term health condition like cancer or diabetes.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Positive Affect Therapy (PAT) for 15 weeks, focusing on increasing reward motivation and sensitivity

15 weeks

15 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for positive affect and depressive symptoms at 4, 8, and 12 months

12 months

3 visits (virtual)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Positive Affect Treatment (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests Positive Affect Treatment (PAT) on these youths, comparing a group receiving PAT with a waitlist control group. The goal is to see if PAT can boost positive feelings and reduce symptoms of depression over time.

Participant Groups

Group I: Positive affect treatment Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

PAT is a 15-week cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on increasing reward motivation and sensitivity at the neural, behavioral, and affective levels of analysis. These observed effects occur through PAT's effects on reward sensitivity and positive affect. Participants will be assigned to a therapist with training in cognitive-behavioral therapy who will meet with them weekly via telehealth.

Group II: Supportive Psychotherapy (SUP) Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to SUP will receive 15 weeks of SUP from a doctoral student in clinical psychology. SUP is a flexibly-delivered, manualized evidence-based treatment that focuses on reinforcing a patient's existing coping strategies while fostering a positive therapeutic relationship. Supportive psychotherapy provides a time, attention, and social support control that is similar to a placebo but likely to be perceived as relevant to this population.

Group III: Waitlist Active Control 1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

University of California Irvine Irvine, CA

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Irvine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

580

Patients Recruited

4,943,000+

Findings from Research

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The absence of depressive symptoms is not the presence of wellness: validation of the Clinical Positive Affect Scale. Nierenberg, AA., Bentley, KH., Farabaugh, AH., et al.[2019]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Positive Affect Stimulation and Sustainment (PASS) Module for Depressed Mood: A preliminary investigation of treatment-related effects. McMakin, DL., Siegle, GJ., Shirk, SR.[2021]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Upregulating the positive affect system in anxiety and depression: Outcomes of a positive activity intervention. Taylor, CT., Lyubomirsky, S., Stein, MB.[2020]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Positive psychotherapy. Seligman, MEP., Rashid, T., Parks, AC.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Positive cognitive behavior therapy in the treatment of depression: A randomized order within-subject comparison with traditional cognitive behavior therapy. Geschwind, N., Arntz, A., Bannink, F., et al.[2020]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Moment-to-moment transfer of positive emotions in daily life predicts future course of depression in both general population and patient samples. Höhn, P., Menne-Lothmann, C., Peeters, F., et al.[2021]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Individuals fearing positivity do not perceive positive affect treatments as strong fits: A novel experimental finding and replication. Bryant, JS., Gallagher, MR., Collins, AC., et al.[2023]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protocol for a randomized controlled dismantling study of an internet-based intervention for depressive symptoms: exploring the contribution of behavioral activation and positive psychotherapy strategies. Mira, A., Díaz-García, A., Castilla, D., et al.[2023]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The absence of depressive symptoms is not the presence of wellness: validation of the Clinical Positive Affect Scale. [2019]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Positive Affect Stimulation and Sustainment (PASS) Module for Depressed Mood: A preliminary investigation of treatment-related effects. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Upregulating the positive affect system in anxiety and depression: Outcomes of a positive activity intervention. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Positive psychotherapy. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Positive cognitive behavior therapy in the treatment of depression: A randomized order within-subject comparison with traditional cognitive behavior therapy. [2020]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Moment-to-moment transfer of positive emotions in daily life predicts future course of depression in both general population and patient samples. [2021]

7. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Individuals fearing positivity do not perceive positive affect treatments as strong fits: A novel experimental finding and replication. [2023]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protocol for a randomized controlled dismantling study of an internet-based intervention for depressive symptoms: exploring the contribution of behavioral activation and positive psychotherapy strategies. [2023]