BEAT-IT: Behavioural Activation and Severe Learning Disabilities

Change from baseline on the Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale at 24 weeks

This scale has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of anxiety in adults with severe/profound intellectual disabilities. The 7 item 'generalised anxiety' sub-scale was used. Items are rated on a four-point Likert scale for frequency from 0 (never) to 3 (always) and for severity 0 (not a problem) to 3 (severe problem). Items are based on informants' observations in the last 2 weeks. Scores are summed. The possible score range for frequency of anxiety symptoms is 0-21, total score range for severity of anxiety symptoms is 0 - 21 and total score is 0 - 42. Higher scores indicate a higher frequency of anxiety symptoms and higher severity of anxiety symptoms.

Time frame: Baseline and week 24

Change from baseline on the Modified Index of Community Involvement (ICI) at 24 weeks

This scale provides a measure of participation in social and community-based activities during the previous 4 weeks. This is a 16-item scale, measuring participation in social activities (5 items), community activities (10 items) and going on holiday (1 item). The informant is asked to rate whether the participant has participated in any of these events in the last month (12 months for the item 'been on holiday'), and if so, how many times (once through to five times or more). All items are rated on a 6-point Likert scale (0 = not participated, 5 = participated 5x or more). All scores are summed. The possible score range for the social activities sub-scale is 0-25, the possible score range for the community activities subscale is 0-50 and the total scale score range is 0-80. Higher scores indicate a higher frequency of engagement in social and community activities.