Structured coaching interventions for anxiety and depressive disorders in Primary Care: A randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the effectiveness of structured coaching interventions on anxiety, depression, emotional intelligence, and quality of life in adults with anxiety and/or depressive disorders in Primary Care. Pilot randomized, controlled, open-label clinical trial. San Gregorio Health Center, Telde (Gran Canaria, Spain), Primary Care setting. Thirty adults aged 18–65 years with anxiety and/or depressive disorders were randomized (1:1:1) to control, face-to-face coaching, or telephone coaching. Five weekly structured coaching sessions based on the GROW model were delivered face-to-face or by telephone. The control group received usual care. Primary outcomes were anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Scale, HAS) and depression (Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, MADRS). Secondary outcomes included emotional intelligence (Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24) and quality of life (EuroQol-5D), assessed at baseline, one month, and five months. A significant time × treatment interaction was observed for anxiety ( p < 0.001). Both coaching modalities achieved greater reductions than control at one month ( p = 0.002) and five months ( p = 0.019). Face-to-face coaching showed a stronger short-term effect, whereas telephone coaching demonstrated more sustained improvement. No significant effects were found for depressive symptoms. Emotional regulation improved at one month in the face-to-face group ( p = 0.013) but was not sustained. Quality of life improved over time without between-group differences. Structured coaching was associated with reduced anxiety symptoms in Primary Care. These findings should be interpreted cautiously and support the feasibility of larger trials. Evaluar la efectividad del coaching estructurado sobre la ansiedad, depresión, inteligencia emocional y calidad de vida en adultos con trastornos ansioso-depresivos en Atención Primaria. Ensayo clínico piloto aleatorizado, controlado y no enmascarado. Centro de Salud de San Gregorio, Telde (Gran Canaria, España), Atención Primaria. Treinta adultos de 18–65 años con trastornos de ansiedad y/o depresivos fueron aleatorizados (1:1:1) a grupo control, coaching presencial o coaching telefónico. Cinco sesiones semanales estructuradas de coaching basadas en el modelo GROW se realizaron en formato presencial o telefónico. El grupo control recibió atención habitual. Las variables principales fueron ansiedad (Escala de Ansiedad de Hamilton, HAS) y depresión (Escala de Depresión de Montgomery–Åsberg, MADRS). Como variables secundarias se evaluaron inteligencia emocional (Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24) y calidad de vida (EuroQol-5D), con evaluaciones al inicio, al mes y a los cinco meses. Se observó una interacción significativa tiempo × tratamiento para ansiedad (p < 0.001). Ambas modalidades lograron mayores reducciones que el control al mes (p = 0.002) y a los cinco meses (p = 0.019). El coaching presencial mostró mayor efecto a corto plazo y el telefónico una mejoría más sostenida. La regulación emocional mejoró al mes en el grupo presencial (p = 0.013). La calidad de vida mejoró sin diferencias entre grupos. El coaching estructurado se asoció con una reducción de los síntomas de ansiedad en Atención Primaria. Estos hallazgos deben interpretarse con cautela y respaldan la viabilidad de ensayos de mayor envergadura.