CBT is a combination of psychotherapy and behavioural therapy. It works by changing people’s attitudes and their behaviour by focusing on their thoughts, images, beliefs and attitudes and how these relates to the way they behave. Â
The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme is expanding the evidence base surrounding the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for the treatment of depression by commissioning three new research projects. Existing research suggests that CBT may be effective in tackling depression, but more evidence is needed.
In a £1.2 million clinical trial researchers, led by Dr Nicola Wiles at the University of Bristol, are investigating CBT for patients with depression who do not respond to treatment with antidepressants. Patients who have been taking antidepressants for at least six weeks will be invited to participate in the trial and receive either CBT and medication, or just medication alone for 12 months, to see which approach is the most effective. Researchers will also evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the treatment and patients’ views and experiences of it.
“CBT has been shown to help patients with previously untreated depression but there is currently little evidence about what alternative treatments doctors should discuss with patients if they have not responded to antidepressants,” says Dr Wiles. “Improving access to psychological therapies is a Government priority, so studies such as this to help inform the development of services in this area.”
For more information about this clinical trial visit www.hta.ac.uk/1656
In a further study researchers from the University of Sheffield will review the existing evidence around the clinical and cost-effectiveness of group CBT for postnatal depression. There is much research in the area of postnatal depression, which affects around one in ten mothers, but there is uncertainty about the most effective psychological treatment option.
The research team, lead by Dr Matt Stevenson will review the existing literature to help assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of group CBT compared to a range of other treatment options, such as counselling and drug treatment. A number of group interventions come under the heading of CBT, such as behavioural therapy, cognitive therapy, psycho-education, and so the team will also conduct a second review evaluating patients’ views and experiences of these different forms of group treatments. For more information about this study visit www.hta.ac.uk/1663
A third HTA-funded study will evaluate the effectiveness of group CBT in the prevention of depression in high risk adolescents. The £1 million trial, lead by Professor Paul Stallard at the University of Bath, aims to test whether a school-based depression prevention programme, the Resourceful Adolescent Programme (RAP) developed in Australia, is effective in reducing depressive symptoms in high risk children in the UK. RAP involves sessions led by trained and supervised mental health professionals. Approximately 20 per cent of pupils per class could be labelled as high risk.
Researchers will invite children aged 13-16 from 9-12 mixed comprehensive schools in Bath, Bristol, Nottingham and Swindon to complete a screening questionnaire. The scores from these will be used to identify and categorise children as either low risk, high risk of depression or probably depressed. Whole classes of children will then be randomly assigned to receive either RAP, a placebo intervention or treatment as usual, Personal Health and Social Education – PHSE. To view the full project details visit www.hta.ac.uk/1667
Source: The National Institute for Health Research
