07 Feb Disorder-Specific vs Nonspecific Psychotherapy for Chronic Depression
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Elisabeth Schramm
Prof. Dr. phil. Elisabeth Schramm
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Chronic depression is a highly prevalent and disabling disorder. As compared to acute episodically depressed patients, chronic depressives benefit less from psychological and pharmaceutical treatment.
Prior investigations suggest that these patients need longer treatment duration for symptom improvement.
In this randomized clinical trial including 268 adults with early onset chronic depression not taking antidepressant medication, patients treated with a disorder-specific psychological treatment (Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy; CBASP) reported significantly less severe depressive symptoms after 20 and 48 weeks as compared to a nonspecific supportive therapy. CBASP patients were also more likely to reach remission and showed significant advantages in global functioning and quality of life.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Both treatments led to significant improvements in depressive symptoms and quality of life in this difficult-to-treat patient group. A highly structured specific psychotherapy was more effective than a nonspecific supportive therapy. Adding an extended phase to acute psychotherapy seems promising in this population.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Further research should clarify whether the combination or augmentation of CBASP with innovative pharmacotherapeutic strategies increases treatment outcomes. Also, other psychological treatment options, such as modular based interventions tailored to specific characteristics and comorbidity of the patient may be beneficial.
Disclosures:
Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr. Schramm reported receiving book royalties and honoraria for workshops and presentations relating to the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP). Dr. Backenstrass reported receiving honoraria for workshops and presentations relating to CBASP. Dr. Klein reported receiving payments for workshops and books (published by Beltz, Elsevier, and Hogrefe) on psychotherapy for chronic depression. Dr. Schoepf reported receiving honoraria for 2 CBASP workshops and 2 presentations relating to CBASP. Dr. Schnell reported receiving funding from the German Research Foundation for an add-on study of the trial reported in this article, advisory fees from Servier Pharmaceuticals, and payments for workshops and books (published by Schattauer, Elsevier, and Kohlhammer) on psychotherapy for chronic depression. No other disclosures were reported.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
More Medical Research Interviews on MedicalResearch.com
[wysija_form id=”5″]
Last Updated on February 7, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD