The efficacy of InterRhythmic care for depression: A randomized control trial

This study investigates the efficacy of an InterRhythmic Care (IRC) for major depressive disorder (MDD). There is a lack of clinical studies on its effect on depression.

In this eight-week, randomized, single-blind, controlled trial, 120 patients with MDD were randomly assigned to receive IRC or Internet general psychoeducation (IGP). Participants' depressive and anxiety symptoms, interpersonal relationships, social function, and biological rhythms were assessed using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Interpersonal Comprehensive Diagnostic Scale (ICDS), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and Morning and Evening Questionnaire (MEQ) at baseline and the 8th week.

Compared to participants in IGP, participants in IRC had lower HAMD total scores, anxiety/somatization, weight, cognitive disturbance, retardation, and sleep disturbance subscores in patients with MDD (F = 190.94, p _Bonferroni < 0.001; F = 83.13, p _Bonferroni < 0.001; F = 4.15, p _Bonferroni = 0.048; F = 65.42, p _Bonferroni < 0.001; F = 53.15, p _Bonferroni < 0.001; F = 67.76, p _Bonferroni < 0.001, respectively); HAMA total score, somatic anxiety subscore, psychogenic anxiety subscore (F = 142.97, p _Bonferroni < 0.001; F = 111.06, p _Bonferroni < 0.001; F = 128.04, p _Bonferroni < 0.001); ICDS total score and subscores for conversation, making friends, manners; and SDS subscores for work/school, social life, family life, and days underproductive (F = 17.38, p _Bonferroni <0.001; F = 14.61, p _Bonferroni < 0.001; F = 10.97, p _Bonferroni = 0.001; F = 11.74, p _Bonferroni = 0.001; F = 4.85, p _Bonferroni = 0.031; F = 16.29, p _Bonferroni < 0.001; F = 12.11, p _Bonferroni = 0.001; F = 8.3, p _Bonferroni = 0.005) at the end of the intervention period.

IRC helped patients with MDD improve clinical symptoms, including depressive and anxiety symptoms, interpersonal problems, and social function.