Can your I-Phone help preventing a relapse of depression?

A controlled trial published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics reports on a new modality of performing relapse prevention in depression. Internet-based cognitive therapy with monitoring via text messages (mobile CT), in addition to treatment as usual , might offer a cost-effective way to treat recurrent depression.

Kok et al. conducted a study on remitted patients with at least 2 previous episodes of depression, randomized to mobile Cognitive Therapy in addition to treatment as usual.Results showed that residual depressive symptoms showed a small but statistically significant decrease in the intention-to-treat group over 3 months in the mobile CT group relative to the treatment as usual group.

Residual depressive symptoms after remission showed a more favourable course over 3 months in the mobile CT group compared to the treatment as usual group . These results are a first indication that mobile CT in addition to treatment as usual is effective in treating
recurrently depressed patients in remission. However, demonstration of its long-term effectiveness and replication remains necessary.

ᔥPsychotherapy and Psychosomatics