Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Depression Among Adolescents and Young Adults Diagnosed With Cancer: An Open Pilot Trial

Purpose This pilot study evaluates the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) for depression, anxiety, and hope among adolescent and young adult (AYA) diagnosed with cancer. Method: 10 AYAs with a primary sarcoma diagnosis participated in an open pilot of SFBT for their depression between January and June 2019 delivered by trained social work interns. Results All participants completed four planned sessions and reported strong acceptability of SFBT. Statistically significant improvements were observed for pre- and post-treatment scores for depression, anxiety, and levels of hope. These improvements were maintained at 1-month follow up, with significant patterns of difference in study participants’ depression, anxiety, and levels of hope over time. Conclusions SFBT is an acceptable intervention approach for depression (and anxiety) among AYAs diagnosed with cancer. SFBT offers a brief, strength-based, and hope-engendering approach to address mental health concerns among young adult diagnosed with cancer.

Bibliometric Differences Between WEIRD and Non-WEIRD Countries in the Outcome Research on Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) developed in parallel to Positive Psychology, as a type of intervention that also emphasizes the strengths and resources of clients. The aim of this study was to examine the development of outcome research on SFBT and to determine whether it is predominantly carried out in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic (WEIRD) countries. A literature review was conducted using a bibliometric methodology, identifying: (a) authors and countries, (b) time trends, (c) language of publications; (d) and journals; (e) samples on which they were tested; (f) characteristics of interventions; and (g) main study designs. A total of 365 original outcome research articles published in scientific journals on solution-focused interventions were extracted. The results show that outcome research on SFBT has grown steadily over the last three decades. Although it started in WEIRD countries, the number of outcome research publications generated in non-WEIRD countries is now higher. There is little international collaboration and, although English is the main language of publication in WEIRD countries, English, Chinese and Parsi predominate in non-WEIRD countries. Productivity is low and most authors have only published one paper. The journals that have published the most papers have a very diverse visibility. The tested interventions are conducted both in clinical and non-clinical samples; mostly in individual and group format; face-to-face; and not only in the form of psychotherapy, but also as coaching and school interventions. Almost half of the publications are randomized controlled trials. The results confirm the wide applicability of SFBT as a single or main component of psychosocial interventions. They support the claim that solution-focused interventions are not a WEIRD practice, but a global practice.

A treatment strategy for meeting life as it is. Patients’ and therapists’ experiences of brief therapy in a district psychiatric centre: A qualitative study

Background Young adults increasingly seek help for mental health problems. In 2016, a district psychiatric centre in Norway started a brief treatment program to provide early and effective help for moderate depression and anxiety. Aim Exploring patients’ and therapists’ experiences of brief therapy, especially how the time limitation influences the treatment process. Methods Individual interviews with 12 patients and focus group interviews with eight therapists analyzed using systematic text condensation. Results The results constitute five themes: (1) Time-limit as a frame for targeted change, (2) Clarifying expectations and accountability, (3) Shared agreement on a defined treatment-project, (4) Providing tools instead of searching for causes, and (5) Learning to cope—not being cured. Conclusion Time-limitation in brief therapy appeared to play a positive role, helping the therapists to structure the therapeutic process and strengthening patients’ motivation. Shared understanding and activation during brief therapy may reinforce patients’ responsibility and expectations to achieve individual goals. Brief therapy can be viewed as the start of a personal process towards “mastering life as it is”. More research is needed to investigate the patients’ long-term outcomes after treatment and to shed light on the potential for, and limitations of, mastering everyday-life.

Diabetes Education and Counseling Using Solution-Oriented Questions

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) utilizes the client’s strengths and resources to the fullest to achieve what the client wants, rather than looking at the client’s problem pathologically and digging deeper into analysis. Therefore, in this article, we would like to introduce a SFBT that can be usefully applied to the education and counseling of diabetic patients in the clinical field. Pre-session change questions, rewarding questions, miracle questions, exception-finding questions, scaling questions, relationship questions, and coping questions used in SFBT consist of the questions that allow the client to answer positively. In this process, a medical social worker pays full attention to remarks that suggest clues to the client’s potential for change, the change the client wants, past experiences that have been successful, and what has already been attempted to make the situation better. Also, when setting goals, it’s important to target positive behaviors rather than eliminate the problem and what’s important to the patient and small, specific, clear, and actionable things. SFBT no longer focuses on or talks about the client’s problem. The client has the resources and strengths to solve the problem. Rather than exploring the cause of the problem, it is important to find a clue to the solution and connect it to actual action, so you can use the solution question techniques to get the client to practice using their strengths. In the treatment field, we recommend that the client remember and ask a few questions with the belief that they can solve them on their own.

Clinical Observation on the Nursing Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Combined with Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Uremic Peritoneal Dialysis Patients and Influence on Nutritional Status

Objective. To explore the nursing effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) combined with solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) in uremic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and its influence on nutritional status. Methods. A prospective study was conducted on 108 uremia patients undergoing PD who were admitted to the First People’s Hospital of Wenling from March 2018 to December 2020. In accordance with the wishes of the patients, according to random number method, the patients were divided into control group (n = 54) and experimental group (n = 54). Patients in the control group were given routine care. Patients in the experimental group were given MBSR combined with SFBT. The clinical data, biochemical indicators, complication, compliance, nutritional status, and quality of life of the two groups were compared. Results. After intervention, the serum hemoglobin, serum albumin levels, and urea clearance index of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group P < 0.05 . Compared with the control group, the experimental group had a lower incidence of complications P < 0.05 . After intervention, the compliance score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group P < 0.05 . After intervention, the malnutrition inflammation score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group P < 0.05 . After intervention, the Kidney Disease and Quality of Life-36 scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group P < 0.05 . Conclusion. MBSR combined with SFBT has a good nursing effect in uremia patients undergoing PD and can increase the patient’s treatment compliance, improve the quality of life, and improve the nutritional status.

Solution Focused Brief Therapy in Post-Stroke Aphasia (SOFIA): feasibility and acceptability results of a feasibility randomised wait-list controlled trial

ObjectivesThe Solution Focused Brief Therapy in Post-Stroke Aphasia feasibility trial had four primary aims: to assess (1) acceptability of the intervention to people with aphasia, including severe aphasia, (2) feasibility of recruitment and retention, (3) acceptability of research procedures and outcome measures, and (4) feasibility of delivering the intervention by speech and language therapists.DesignTwo-group randomised controlled feasibility trial with wait-list design, blinded outcome assessors and nested qualitative research.SettingParticipants identified via two community NHS Speech and Language Therapy London services and through community routes (eg, voluntary-sector stroke groups).ParticipantsPeople with aphasia at least 6 months post stroke.InterventionSolution-focused brief therapy, a psychological intervention, adapted to be linguistically accessible. Participants offered up to six sessions over 3 months, either immediately postrandomisation or after a delay of 6 months.Outcome measuresPrimary endpoints related to feasibility and acceptability. Clinical outcomes were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months postrandomisation, and at 9 months (wait-list group only). The candidate primary outcome measure was the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. Participants and therapists also took part in in-depth interviews.ResultsThirty-two participants were recruited, including 43.8% with severe aphasia. Acceptability endpoints: therapy was perceived as valuable and acceptable by both participants (n=30 interviews) and therapists (n=3 interviews); 93.8% of participants had ≥2 therapy sessions (90.6% had 6/6 sessions). Feasibility endpoints: recruitment target was reached within the prespecified 13-month recruitment window; 82.1% of eligible participants consented; 96.9% were followed up at 6 months; missing data <0.01%. All five prespecified feasibility progression criteria were met.ConclusionThe high retention and adherence rates, alongside the qualitative data, suggest the study design was feasible and therapy approach acceptable even to people with severe aphasia. These results indicate a definitive randomised controlled trial of the intervention would be feasible.Trial registration numberNCT03245060.