Group person-based cognitive therapy for chronic depression: a pilot randomized controlled trial

This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) assesses Person-Based Cognitive Therapy (PBCT), an integration of cognitive therapy and mindfulness, as a treatment for chronic depression.

Twenty-eight participants with chronic depression were randomly allocated to treatment as usual (TAU) or PBCT group plus TAU. Assessments of depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI-II) and mindfulness (Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire) were conducted before and after therapy.

Intention-to-treat analysis found significant group by time interactions for both depression and mindfulness. Secondary analyses showed depression and mindfulness scores significantly improved for PBCT participants but not for TAU participants, with 64% of PBCT participants showing reliable improvement in depression, compared with 0% of TAU participants.

PBCT is a promising treatment for chronic depression. Findings suggest a full RCT would be warranted.