Brief group adaptation of the Unified Protocol for integrated primary care: Open trial of a transdiagnostic intervention delivered via telehealth.

Abstract

There is a pressing need to scale up access to evidence-based mental health treatment. Offering transdiagnostic treatments that accommodate a variety of presenting concerns and comorbidities in integrated primary care settings via group format and telehealth modalities can help to efficiently increase access to care. To meet this need, we refined a brief group adaptation of the Unified Protocol for the transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders, called managing stress and emotions (MSE), which was modified for feasibility in integrated primary care settings and telehealth delivery. MSE comprises five 60-min classes emphasizing experiential skills-based learning. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of MSE while preliminarily evaluating effectiveness. We conducted an open trial with 18 patients (33% female, 89% White, M_age = 47 years) experiencing anxiety, depression, or adjustment difficulties who were recruited from Veterans Health Administration primary care. Using mixed methods, we assessed mental health symptoms and functioning from pre- to posttreatment and 3-month follow-up as well as treatment feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction. MSE was feasible (89% engaged), and patients reported high treatment satisfaction. Pre- to posttreatment changes were promising, with medium-to-large effect sizes, and treatment gains generally remained stable at 3-months. Mixed methods data showed increased awareness of emotions and more use of adaptive coping strategies after MSE. Findings suggest further research evaluating effectiveness and implementation is warranted, as this is the briefest version of group Unified Protocol that has been tested thus far and can help to efficiently increase access to mental health treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).