Aplicación y evaluación de la eficacia del protocolo unificado transdiagnóstico con estudiantes universitarios españoles / Application and evaluation of the effi cacy of the Unifi ed Transdiagnostic Protocol with Spanish college students

Resumen Se presenta aplicación y evaluación del Protocolo Unificado Transdiagnóstico para los trastornos emocionales grupal, online sincrónico a estudiantes universitarios que solicitaron atención al Servicio de Atención Psicológica de la Universidad de Cádiz. Se implementó el Protocolo Unificado de ocho módulos desarrollado en 12 sesiones semanales con el objetivo de examinar su eficacia en un formato grupal online. Los objetivos específicos fueron los siguientes: Incrementar la calidad de vida, el optimismo y el afecto positivo y disminuir la sintomatología depresiva y ansiosa, el afecto negativo, las conductas rumiativas, el malestar psicológico y la evitación experiencial. La investigación tuvo un enfoque cuantitativo, exploratorio, descriptivo e interactivo, con un diseño cuasi-experimental, pre-post test para muestras pareadas. Los instrumentos de evaluación fueron los siguientes: OASIS, ODSIS, QLI-Sp, COP, PANAS, RRS, CORE-OM, BEAQ, ficha sociodemográfica ad hoc y una Escala de satisfacción/opinión. Participaron nueve estudiantes con una edad promedio de 21.11. Se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las mediciones pre y pos test en afecto negativo (t = 3.250; p < .012) y en la escala Riesgo del CORE OM (t = 2.401; p < .043). La aplicación del PU en formato grupal online resultó eficaz en el contexto no clínico aplicado: los participantes evidenciaron un progreso en el tratamiento y mejoras en las variables en estudio.

Abstract: This study presents the results of the application of the Unified Transdiagnostic Protocol Treatment of Emotional Disorders in a group format in a non-clinical context, with university students who have asked for therapy at the University Psychological Services. The standardized eight modules-UP was implemented and it was administered in twelve group sessions. Synchronous online weekly and 90-minute long sessions were carried out. UP is an evidence-based cognitive behavioral intervention program to address a wide range of emotional disorders. The general target was to examine the efficacy of UP for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in an online group format. The specific targets were: (a) to increase quality of life, optimism and positive affect; and (b) to reduce depressive and anxious symptoms, negative affect, ruminant behaviors, psychological distress and experiential avoidance. This study was carried out with a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and interactive approach. A quasi-experimental design, pre- and posttest for paired samples was used. Instruments: OASIS, ODSIS, QLI-Sp, COP, PANAS, RRS, CORE-OM, BEAQ, ad hoc socio-demographic file and Opinion Scale. A total of 9 students voluntarily participated in the study (Mean age = 21.11 years). After the intervention, statistically significant diffe- rences were found between the pre- and posttest measurements in negative affect (t = 3.250; p < .012) and in the CORE OM´ Risk Scale (t = 2.401; p < .043). The UP application in a group format with students that asked for therapy has proven to be effective in a non-clinical context, participants have shown progress in the treatment as well as in some psychological areas.

El Protocolo Unificado para el Tratamiento Transdiagnóstico de los Trastornos Emocionales / The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders

Los modelos dimensionales de la psicopatología indican que los trastornos emocionales (del estado de ánimo, de ansiedad, obsesivo-compulsivo, relacionados a traumas y otros) comparten factores de vulnerabilidad y mantenimiento: fuertes emociones perturbadoras, aversión a las mismas y utilización de estrategias para evitarlas que, paradójicamente, las intensifican y prolongan. David Barlow et al. (2011) diseñaron un protocolo transdiagnóstico, el Protocolo Unificado, que apunta a dichos factores. En este trabajo se presentan los fundamentos del tratamiento y los ocho módulos destinados a aumentar la motivación para el cambio; aprender sobre la funcionalidad de las emociones; practicar la conciencia plena; utilizar cogniciones más flexibles que disminuyan la catastrofización de las consecuencias temidas; cambiar las estrategias evitativas por acciones alternativas; tolerar las sensaciones físicas que acompañan a las emociones; exponerse a las emociones más temidas y prevenir recaídas. Una creciente investigación avala la eficacia del Protocolo Unificado

Dimensional models of psychopathology indicate that emotional disorders (mood, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, related to trauma disorders, and others) share factors of vulnerability and maintenance: strong disturbing emotions, aversion to them and use of avoidant strategies that, paradoxically, intensify and prolong them. Barlow et al. (2011) developed a transdiagnostic protocol, the Unified Protocol, to address these factors. This paper presents the treatment rationale and the eight modules aimed at increasing motivation for change; learning about the functionality of emotions; practicing mindfulness; using more flexible cognitions to reduce the catastrophization of feared consequences; replacing avoidant strategies by alternative actions; tolerating the physical sensations that are part of emotions; exposing oneself to the most feared emotions and prevent relapses. Growing research supports the efficacy of the Unified Protocol

Emotion regulation as the mediator of reductions in anxiety and depression in the Unified Protocol (UP) for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders: double-blind randomized clinical trial / Regulação emocional como mediadora de reduções em ansiedade e depressão no Protocolo Unificado para o tratamento transdiagnóstico de transtornos psicológicos: ensaio clínico randomizado duplo-cego

Abstract Objective: An important subject in evaluation of the efficacy of treatments is to examine how the intervention is effective and to identify the consequences of that treatment. In this regard, the current study investigates the role of emotion regulation as the mediator of the treatment outcomes of therapy using the Unified Protocol (UP) for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders. Method: This article describes a double-blind randomized clinical trial. A sample of 26 individuals was selected based on cut-off scores for the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory and their final diagnoses were confirmed with the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (ADIS-IV). The sample was randomly divided into two groups: control and treatment (13 patients each). The treatment group received 20 one-hour UP sessions. The Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale were administered at two stages, pre-treatment and post-treatment. Results: The UP reduced anxiety and depression in patients through improvement in emotion regulation. Furthermore, the results showed that the difficulty engaging in goal-directed behavior and non-acceptance of emotional response subscales were capable of predicting 62% of variance in anxiety scores. In turn, two subscales, difficulty engaging in goal-directed behavior and lack of emotional clarity, predicted 72% of variance in depression scores. Conclusion: Emotion regulation can be considered as a potential mediating factor and as predictive of outcomes of transdiagnostic treatment based on the UP. Clinical trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT2017072335245N1.

Resumo Objetivo: É importante, na avaliação da eficácia de tratamentos, examinar como a intervenção tem efeito e identificar suas consequências. O presente estudo investiga o papel da regulação emocional enquanto mediadora de desfechos do tratamento que emprega o Protocolo Unificado (PU) para o tratamento transdiagnóstico de transtornos psicológicos. Método: Este artigo descreve um ensaio clínico randomizado duplo-cego. Uma amostra de 26 indivíduos foi selecionada com base em escores pré-estabelecidos para o Inventário de Depressão de Beck e o Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck, e seus diagnósticos finais foram confirmados utilizando o instrumento Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (ADIS-IV). A amostra foi dividida aleatoriamente em dois grupos: controle e tratamento (13 pacientes em cada). O grupo tratamento recebeu 20 sessões de PU de 1 hora cada. O Inventário de Depressão de Beck, Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck Beck e Escala de Dificuldades de Regulação Emocional foram administrados em duas etapas, antes e depois do tratamento. Resultados: O PU reduziu a ansiedade e a depressão em pacientes, ao melhorar a regulação emocional. Além disso, os resultados mostraram que as subescalas dificuldade de se engajar em comportamentos orientados por objetivos e não aceitação de resposta emocional responderam por 62% da variância nos escores de ansiedade. Nos escores de depressão, duas subescalas, dificuldade de se engajar em comportamentos orientados por objetivos e falta de claridade emocional, explicaram 72% da variância. Conclusão: A regulação emocional pode ser considerada o principal fator mediador e também preditora de desfechos do tratamento transdiagnóstico baseado no PU. Registro do ensaio clínico: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT2017072335245N1.