Effect of short-term group cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with major depressive disorder

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of short-term group cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with major depressive disorder. Methods 195 patients with major depressive disorder were randomly divided into short-term cognitive behavioral therapy group(cognitive group, n=65), conventional psychotherapy group(conventional group, n=65) and drug treatment group(control group, n=65). Cognitive group was treated with conventional antidepressants combined with short-term group cognitive behavioral therapy.Conventional group was treated with conventional antidepressants combined with conventional psychotherapy.Control group was treated with conventional antidepressants. All participants were assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) before and 2 weeks after the treatment. Results After 2 weeks treatment, the scores of HAMD (25.3±6.6)and BDI(14.2±5.4)were significantly reduced in cognitive group compared with the baseline ((30.1±6.4), (17.4±5.0), P<0.05). The scores of HAMD(25.3±6.6)and BDI(14.2±5.4)were significantly lower in cognitive group than that in the conventional group ((29.7±6.7), (16.4±5.3))and control group((30.1±6.2), (18.0±5.4)) after the treatment (P<0.05). In the cognitive group, the scores of sadness, pessimism, loss of pleasure, guilty feelings, suicidal thoughts, self-dislike, concentration difficulty and fatigue were significantly reduced after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion Short-term group cognitive behavioral therapy is effective for major depressive disorder patients by reducing depressive syptom. Key words: Short-term cognitive behavioral therapy; Major depressive disorder; Group therapy; Negative cognition