TY - JOUR
T1 - Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) programmes for anxiety or depression in adults with intellectual disabilities
T2 - a review of the literature
AU - Unwin, Gemma
AU - Tsimopoulou, Ioanna
AU - Stenfert Kroese, Biza
AU - Azmi, Sabiha
PY - 2016/4
Y1 - 2016/4
N2 - Relatively little is known about the application of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to people with intellectual disabilities (ID). This review sought to synthesise available evidence on the effectiveness of CBT for anxiety or depression to assess the current level of evidence and make recommendations for future research. A comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted to identify qualitative and quantitative studies. Robust criteria were applied to select papers that were relevant to the review. Included papers were subject to quality appraisal. Eleven out of the 223 studies considered met our inclusion criteria and were included in the review in which CBT was used with participants with ID and anxiety (n = 3), depression (n = 4) or a mixed clinical presentation (n = 4). There remains a paucity of evidence of effectiveness, however, the studies indicate that CBT is feasible and well-tolerated and may be effective in reducing symptoms of depression among adults with mild ID. Qualitative data reflect a positive perception of CBT amongst clients and carers. Further research is required to investigate the components of CBT, suitability for CBT, and requisite skills for CBT, which uses valid, sensitive and more holistic outcome measures.
AB - Relatively little is known about the application of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to people with intellectual disabilities (ID). This review sought to synthesise available evidence on the effectiveness of CBT for anxiety or depression to assess the current level of evidence and make recommendations for future research. A comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted to identify qualitative and quantitative studies. Robust criteria were applied to select papers that were relevant to the review. Included papers were subject to quality appraisal. Eleven out of the 223 studies considered met our inclusion criteria and were included in the review in which CBT was used with participants with ID and anxiety (n = 3), depression (n = 4) or a mixed clinical presentation (n = 4). There remains a paucity of evidence of effectiveness, however, the studies indicate that CBT is feasible and well-tolerated and may be effective in reducing symptoms of depression among adults with mild ID. Qualitative data reflect a positive perception of CBT amongst clients and carers. Further research is required to investigate the components of CBT, suitability for CBT, and requisite skills for CBT, which uses valid, sensitive and more holistic outcome measures.
KW - CBT
KW - Psychotherapy
KW - Anxiety
KW - Depression
KW - Intellectual disabilities
KW - Intellectual and developmental disabilities
U2 - 10.1016/j.ridd.2015.12.010
DO - 10.1016/j.ridd.2015.12.010
M3 - Article
SN - 0891-4222
VL - 51-52
SP - 60
EP - 75
JO - Research in Developmental Disabilities
JF - Research in Developmental Disabilities
ER -