BackgroundHuntington's disease (HD) is a fatal inherited neurodegenerative disease, caused by a

This paper reports the development of a scale for assessing the quality of reports of randomised controlled trials for psychological treatments. The Delphi method was used in which a panel of 15-12 experts generated statements relating to treatment and design components of trials. After three rounds, statements with high consensus agreement were reviewed by a second expert panel and rewritten as a scale. Evidence to support the reliability and validity of the scale is reported. Three expert and five novice raters assessed sets of 31 and 25 published trials to establish scale reliability (ICC ranges from 0.91 to 0.41 for experts and novices, respectively) and item reliability (Kappa and inter-rater agreement). The total scale score discriminated between trials globally judged as good and poor by experts, and trial quality was shown to be a function of year of publication. Uses for the scale are suggested.

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Background: Long term conditions are on the rise and are associated with increased risk of psychological problems. Commonalities across long term conditions suggests a transdiagnostic psychological intervention may be beneficial. An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group intervention was evaluated for people with long term physical health conditions. Methods: Participants with long term physical health conditions were invited to an ACT group (n=53). Measures were completed at assessment, pre, post and 3-month follow-up. These assessed anxiety and depression symptoms, health perceptions, values-based living and psychological flexibility. Period from assessment to pre intervention served as a withinparticipant control. Results: Depression and anxiety symptoms reduced significantly from pre to post, compared to control period. Significant improvements were found in values-based living and psychological flexibility. These changes were in the context of non-significant changes in health perceptions. Conclusions: Group-based ACT interventions may be beneficial for long term physical conditions and can be delivered transdiagnostically.