Therapeutic effects of short-term trauma stabilization techniques combined with escitalopram in treating adolescent major depressive disorder: A pilot randomised controlled trial
Description
Objective
To explore the efficacy of short-term trauma stabilization techniques combined with escitalopram in the treatment of adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD).
Methods
A total of 80 patients with MDD who were hospitalized in the Psychosomatic Department of our hospital were selected and randomly divided into two groups: the escitalopram combined with short-term trauma stabilization technique group (study group) and the escitalopram combined with mental health education group (control group). Upon hospitalization, patients completed the adolescent self-rating life events check list (ASLEC), impact of event scale-revised (IES-R), 17-item Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA). After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the IES-R, HAMD-17-17 and HAMA scores were reevaluated.
Results
There were no significant differences in the ASLEC, IES-R, HAMD-17 or HAMA scores between the two groups at admission. Compared with that of the control group, the IES-R score of the study group was significantly improved at the 2nd week of treatment (P < 0.01). By the 4th week of treatment, the IES-R scores in the study group had further improved compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Additionally, the HAMD-17 and HAMA scores in the study group were significantly improved compared to the control group (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
Escitalopram combined with short-term trauma stabilization is more effective in the treatment of MDD than escitalopram with mental health education, warranting further exploration.
To explore the efficacy of short-term trauma stabilization techniques combined with escitalopram in the treatment of adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD).
Methods
A total of 80 patients with MDD who were hospitalized in the Psychosomatic Department of our hospital were selected and randomly divided into two groups: the escitalopram combined with short-term trauma stabilization technique group (study group) and the escitalopram combined with mental health education group (control group). Upon hospitalization, patients completed the adolescent self-rating life events check list (ASLEC), impact of event scale-revised (IES-R), 17-item Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA). After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the IES-R, HAMD-17-17 and HAMA scores were reevaluated.
Results
There were no significant differences in the ASLEC, IES-R, HAMD-17 or HAMA scores between the two groups at admission. Compared with that of the control group, the IES-R score of the study group was significantly improved at the 2nd week of treatment (P < 0.01). By the 4th week of treatment, the IES-R scores in the study group had further improved compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Additionally, the HAMD-17 and HAMA scores in the study group were significantly improved compared to the control group (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
Escitalopram combined with short-term trauma stabilization is more effective in the treatment of MDD than escitalopram with mental health education, warranting further exploration.
Format
Journal
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Xu, J., Wu, J., Wang, X., Chen, Q., Xu, R., Xu, Y., Geng, X., & Tang, Y. (2025). Therapeutic effects of short-term trauma stabilization techniques combined with escitalopram in treating adolescent major depressive disorder: A pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry, 25(176). doi:10.1186/s12888-025-06624-7
Collection
Citation
“Therapeutic effects of short-term trauma stabilization techniques combined with escitalopram in treating adolescent major depressive disorder: A pilot randomised controlled trial,” Francine Shapiro Legacy Library, accessed June 13, 2026, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/30149.