"Coping with depression": an open study of the efficacy of a group psychoeducational intervention in chronic, treatment-refractory depression

TY - JOUR

T1 - "Coping with depression"

T2 - an open study of the efficacy of a group psychoeducational intervention in chronic, treatment-refractory depression

AU - Swan, John

AU - Sorrell, Eleanor

AU - MacVicar, Bob

AU - Durham, Rob

AU - Matthews, Keith

PY - 2004/10

Y1 - 2004/10

N2 - Background: Failure to respond to antidepressant medication represents a major clinical problem. Few therapeutic interventions have been shown to benefit such individuals. Method: Patients attended a 12-session psychoeducational programme over a period of 10 weeks, with follow-up at 26 weeks. The main outcome measures were the self-report Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), the Global Severity Index (GSI) of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the EuroQol 5D. Results: Baseline assessments confirmed substantial chronicity and treatment resistance, high symptom burden and poor quality of life in the study cohort. Twenty-six week follow-up data were obtained from 34% of cohort. Completion of the course was associated with clinically significant changes in symptom burden. Sustained remission was achieved by 35% of completers. Limitations: We did not characterise the cohort using structured clinical interview and did not collect structured, objective ratings of mental health status. There was no control group. There was a high attrition rate and caution must be exercised in interpreting results. Conclusions: For a proportion of patients with chronic depressive episodes that have not responded to antidepressant treatments, the “Coping with Depression” psychoeducational group may confer sustained and meaningful benefit. Controlled studies are warranted.

AB - Background: Failure to respond to antidepressant medication represents a major clinical problem. Few therapeutic interventions have been shown to benefit such individuals. Method: Patients attended a 12-session psychoeducational programme over a period of 10 weeks, with follow-up at 26 weeks. The main outcome measures were the self-report Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), the Global Severity Index (GSI) of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the EuroQol 5D. Results: Baseline assessments confirmed substantial chronicity and treatment resistance, high symptom burden and poor quality of life in the study cohort. Twenty-six week follow-up data were obtained from 34% of cohort. Completion of the course was associated with clinically significant changes in symptom burden. Sustained remission was achieved by 35% of completers. Limitations: We did not characterise the cohort using structured clinical interview and did not collect structured, objective ratings of mental health status. There was no control group. There was a high attrition rate and caution must be exercised in interpreting results. Conclusions: For a proportion of patients with chronic depressive episodes that have not responded to antidepressant treatments, the “Coping with Depression” psychoeducational group may confer sustained and meaningful benefit. Controlled studies are warranted.

KW - Adaptation, Psychological

KW - Adult

KW - Antidepressive Agents

KW - Chronic Disease

KW - Depressive Disorder

KW - Drug Resistance

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Patient Dropouts

KW - Psychotherapy, Group

KW - Recurrence

KW - Severity of Illness Index

KW - Treatment Outcome

U2 - 10.1016/j.jad.2003.09.002

DO - 10.1016/j.jad.2003.09.002

M3 - Article

C2 - 15465585

SN - 0165-0327

VL - 82

SP - 125

EP - 129

JO - Journal of Affective Disorders

JF - Journal of Affective Disorders

IS - 1

ER -