The Effects of Cognitive Therapy Versus ‘Treatment as Usual’ in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
2011

Cognitive Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder

Sample size: 719 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Jakobsen Janus Christian, Lindschou Hansen Jane, Storebø Ole Jakob, Simonsen Erik, Gluud Christian

Primary Institution: Copenhagen University Hospital

Hypothesis

What are the beneficial and harmful effects of cognitive therapy versus ‘treatment as usual’ in the treatment of major depressive disorder?

Conclusion

Cognitive therapy might not be an effective treatment for major depressive disorder compared with ‘treatment as usual’, with only a small effect observed.

Supporting Evidence

  • Cognitive therapy significantly reduced depressive symptoms on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.
  • Meta-analysis showed no significant reduction in depressive symptoms on the Beck Depression Inventory.
  • Trial sequential analysis indicated insufficient data to confirm cognitive therapy's superiority over treatment as usual.

Takeaway

Cognitive therapy is a way to help people with depression, but it may not work much better than regular treatment.

Methodology

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing cognitive therapy with treatment as usual.

Potential Biases

High risk of bias in all included trials due to unclear or inadequate components.

Limitations

All included trials had a high risk of bias, and many did not report sufficient data on outcomes.

Participant Demographics

Participants were older than 17 years with a primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.007

Confidence Interval

−3.70 to −0.60

Statistical Significance

p<0.007

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022890

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