Unified Protocol for Emotional Disorders - A Pilot Feasability Trial

Residents of alcohol and drug (AOD) rehabilitation programs commonly present with complex comorbid presentations, including substance use disorders and a range of anxiety and affective disorders. The Unified Protocol (UP) is a transdiagnostic treatment for emotional disorders, with growing empirical evidence for effective outcomes. The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility of UP treatment of an adult group in an Australian rural AOD rehabilitation setting. A mixed methods, single-case experimental design was used, and treatment began in October 2018. Baseline, treatment and follow-up data was collected, and eight participants completed the treatment. Quantitative results supported a reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms during the treatment, but this was not sustained at follow-up. Improvements in quality of life and emotional regulation were not supported. Low UP acceptability was informed by qualitative feedback from participants and case managers post treatment. Feasibility of UP group treatment in an AOD setting was considered, with recommendations made for future studies.

酒精与药物（Alcohol and Drug, AOD）康复项目的参与者通常存在复杂共病状况，涵盖物质使用障碍及多种焦虑与情感障碍。统一方案（Unified Protocol, UP）是针对情感障碍的跨诊断治疗手段，其有效疗效的实证依据日益充足。本研究旨在探究统一方案在澳大利亚乡村地区AOD康复场景中针对成人群体的治疗效果、可接受性与可行性。研究采用混合方法单案例实验设计，治疗于2018年10月启动。研究收集了基线、治疗期间与随访阶段的数据，最终共有8名参与者完成全部治疗。定量分析结果显示，治疗期间参与者的抑郁与焦虑症状有所缓解，但该改善未在随访阶段得以维持。研究未发现参与者在生活质量与情绪调节方面出现显著改善。治疗后参与者与个案管理者的质性反馈表明，统一方案的可接受度较低。本研究对统一方案团体治疗在AOD康复场景中的可行性进行了评估，并为后续相关研究提出了针对性建议。