Enhanced CBT can radically reduce long-term depression, finds study
Enhanced versions of the most commonly used talking therapy for depression significantly reduces the illness beyond six months, a meta study of over 15,000 people has concluded.
The assessment of data from 157 studies of cognitive behavioural therapy led by University of Manchester and University of South Wales scientists is published today in the (29/03/22)
The study compared CBT alone and with one or two additional components such as social skills training, assertiveness training, relaxation techniques and psychoeducation.
All three protocols, they found, reduced depressive symptoms by a substantial 8.44 points on the Beck Depression Inventory, a 21 item self-reporting scale which measures symptoms of depression.
However only CBT with one or two additional components sustained the effects in the long-term, reducing depression to at least 5 or 8 points respectively after 6 months when compared to CBT alone.
In addition, CBT given with two extra components was more effective when delivered by non-mental health specialists such as nurses.
Age also appeared to affect the effectiveness of CBT: participants younger than 30 and younger than 59 responded better to CBT with two or one extra components respectively.
And the analyses also demonstrated that participants from lower socio-economic status responded better to CBT with two or one extra components.
Our study shows that CBT can significantly reduce depression after treatment, however when given with one or two extra components it becomes effective in the long term
Lead author Dr Ioannis Angelakis said: 青瓜视频淒epression is the most common mental health condition with more than 264 million people being affected worldwide.
青瓜视频淚t impacts negatively on people青瓜视频檚 quality of life and is very costly for health and care systems, so understanding how to best to treat it is paramount.
青瓜视频淥ur study shows that CBT can significantly reduce depression after treatment, however when given with one or two extra components it becomes effective in the long term.青瓜视频�
He added: 青瓜视频淲hen enhanced CBT is given to younger people, policy makers should also focus on supporting non mental health professionals in giving this extra help.
青瓜视频淎 nurse providing enhancements may also play the role of the main care co-ordinator for wider range of health problems
青瓜视频淭hat could explain why enhanced CBT seems more effective when they deliver it however more research is needed to understand this more fully.青瓜视频�