Related Experiment Videos
Sudden gains in cognitive therapy for depression: a replication and extension
Gillian E Hardy1, Jane Cahill, William B Stiles
1Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom. g.hardy@sheffield.ac.uk
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
|February 16, 2005
Summary
Cognitive therapy (CT) can lead to sudden gains in clients. However, these rapid improvements were less stable in routine practice compared to clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychotherapy Research
Background:
- Cognitive therapy (CT) is a widely used psychotherapy.
- Sudden gains have been observed in clinical trials of CT.
- The stability of sudden gains in routine practice is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and stability of sudden gains in cognitive therapy.
- To compare sudden gains in a routine clinical setting with those reported in clinical trials.
- To explore potential factors, such as life events, that may influence sudden gains.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 76 clients receiving 8-20 sessions of CT was studied.
- Clients attended a joint university and national health service clinic.
- Data on sudden gains and life events were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- 31 out of 76 clients (40.8%) experienced sudden gains.
- Sudden gains were less stable in this routine clinical practice setting than in prior clinical trials.
- No significant association was found between life events and the occurrence of sudden gains.
Conclusions:
- Sudden gains can occur in routine cognitive therapy practice.
- The stability of sudden gains may be lower in real-world clinical settings compared to controlled trials.
- Life events do not appear to be a primary driver of sudden gains in CT.