Integrative cognitive therapy for depression: A randomized pilot comparison

This pilot study examined the efficacy of an integrative form of cognitive therapy (ICT) for depression that incorporates specific strategies for addressing alliance ruptures. Although a previous study on depression found that ICT was superior to a wait-list condition (L. G. Castonguay et al., 2004), the current study provides the 1st direct comparison between ICT and traditional cognitive therapy (CT). Twenty-two depressed adults were randomly assigned to ICT or CT (11 patients per condition), which were delivered by clinicians in training. Outcome was assessed with a specific depression measure and a global symptomatology measure. The groups were also compared on patient-perceived alliance quality and therapist empathy. Effect size estimates revealed that ICT patients evidenced greater posttreatment improvement on both outcome measures (with small to medium effects) and more clinically significant change than did CT patients. ICT patients also had higher alliance and empathy scores across treatment (with medium to large effects). The findings, albeit very preliminary, support the potential viability of ICT and the potential causal influence of the rupture-repair interventions on treatment process and outcome. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).