A randomised controlled trial examining the impact of individual trauma-focused therapy for individuals receiving group treatment for depression
Description
Background and aims
Adverse life events are associated with increased likelihood of depression and poorer prognosis . Trauma-focused treatments (TFT) appear to be effective in decreasing comorbid depressive symptoms. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a TFT on the memories of aversive events for individuals with a primary diagnosis of depression.
Methods
A randomised controlled trial was conducted with 49 participants recruited from a 10-day outpatient group program. All participants showed symptoms of depression with a subgroup (80%) meeting the DSM-5 criteria for a major depressive episode. Participants received treatment as usual (TAU); three additional individual trauma-focused sessions; or three additional individual assertiveness training sessions. Participants were assessed with regards to depression diagnosis and related symptoms.
Results
For participants with a major depressive episode, the addition of trauma-focused sessions significantly increased the likelihood of remission when compared to TAU, or additional assertiveness training. While no significant treatment difference was noted in depressive symptom change post-treatment, six weeks after treatment those who received an adjunct treatment were more likely to maintain treatment gains than those who received TAU. Furthermore, at 12-week follow-up, participants who received a TFT reported significantly fewer depressive symptoms than those who received assertiveness training.
Conclusions
While differences in outcomes were minimal immediately post-treatment, differences among treatment groups increased over time. Thus, as few as three additional TFT sessions may impact positively on symptom change for people completing a group program for treatment of depression.
Adverse life events are associated with increased likelihood of depression and poorer prognosis . Trauma-focused treatments (TFT) appear to be effective in decreasing comorbid depressive symptoms. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a TFT on the memories of aversive events for individuals with a primary diagnosis of depression.
Methods
A randomised controlled trial was conducted with 49 participants recruited from a 10-day outpatient group program. All participants showed symptoms of depression with a subgroup (80%) meeting the DSM-5 criteria for a major depressive episode. Participants received treatment as usual (TAU); three additional individual trauma-focused sessions; or three additional individual assertiveness training sessions. Participants were assessed with regards to depression diagnosis and related symptoms.
Results
For participants with a major depressive episode, the addition of trauma-focused sessions significantly increased the likelihood of remission when compared to TAU, or additional assertiveness training. While no significant treatment difference was noted in depressive symptom change post-treatment, six weeks after treatment those who received an adjunct treatment were more likely to maintain treatment gains than those who received TAU. Furthermore, at 12-week follow-up, participants who received a TFT reported significantly fewer depressive symptoms than those who received assertiveness training.
Conclusions
While differences in outcomes were minimal immediately post-treatment, differences among treatment groups increased over time. Thus, as few as three additional TFT sessions may impact positively on symptom change for people completing a group program for treatment of depression.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Dominguez, S., Drummond, P., Gouldthorp, B., Janson D., & Lee. C. (2021, June). A randomised controlled trial examining the impact of individual trauma-focused therapy for individuals receiving group treatment for depression. Presentation at the 20th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Virtual
Citation
“A randomised controlled trial examining the impact of individual trauma-focused therapy for individuals receiving group treatment for depression,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 15, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/26910.