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Cognitive-behavior therapy for chronically depressed patients. A controlled pilot study
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|May 1, 1982
Summary
Cognitive-behavior therapy significantly improved social skills and reduced depression and anxiety in chronically depressed outpatients. These gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up, indicating therapy
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Chronic depression often shows resistance to standard treatments.
- Alternative therapies are needed for treatment-resistant depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for chronically depressed outpatients unresponsive to other treatments.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study with 12 treatment-resistant depressed outpatients.
- Random assignment to CBT (twice weekly for 10 weeks) or a waiting list control.
- Outcome measured by self-report, clinical ratings, and behavioral observation of social skills and depressive affect.
Main Results:
- The CBT group showed significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and social skills post-treatment.
- Improvements in anxiety and social skills were sustained at 6-month follow-up.
- No significant differences were found between groups at 6-month follow-up in this small sample.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive-behavior therapy shows promise for improving outcomes in treatment-resistant depression.
- Further research with larger samples is warranted to confirm these findings.