The effects of psychosocial day care program on clinical symptoms and quality of life of persons with depression: a prospective study

Abstract

Background and objectivesPsychological and psychosocial interventions proved to be effective in treatment of depression. The main objective of this study is to examine the effects of psychosocial day care program on the quality of life and clinical symptoms of persons with depression. MethodsIn a controlled trial, 114 participants aged 20 or older with ICD-10 major depression were recruited after they being discharged from in-patient treatment. The intervention group (n=59) received a 4-month group psychosocial program consisting of psychoeducation, social skills training and therapeutic community, and the control group (n=55) received the usual care. Participants were assessed three times: at baseline, at the end-of-treatment and at 6-months follow-up. The outcome measures were the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life. ResultsThe intervention group had significantly larger symptom reduction compared to control group (F (1,98)=15.11, p<0.01), at both second assessment (−8.31±0.78, p<0.01) and third assessment (−10.7±0.69, p<0.01). Both groups showed significant reduction in depressive symptoms over study time (F (1.53, 150.28)=228.01, p<0.01). The psychosocial intervention program had no statistically significant effect on subjective quality of life. ConclusionThe psychosocial intervention program led to significant reduction of depressive symptoms but had no effect on patients’ subjective quality of life.