An interventional study of Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy and System of Supportive Psychotherapy in Chronic Major Depressive Disorder, sponsored by University Hospital Freiburg. Completed at 1 site in Germany. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2017-07-05.
Sponsored by University Hospital Freiburg · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of the Cognitive Behavioural Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) with the non-specific System of Supportive Psychotherapy (SYSP)in early onset chronically depressives.
Effective treatment strategies for chronic depression are urgently needed since it is not only a common and particularly disabling disorder, but is also considered treatment resistant by most clinicians. There are only a few studies on chronic depression indicating that traditional interventions are not as effective as in acute, episodic depression. In addition, most of the studies had methodological weaknesses, such as the very short courses of psychotherapy. Usually, chronic depression begins early in life, is often associated with early interpersonal trauma, and results in an even more substantial human capital loss than the late-onset group. Furthermore, it shows a weak response to medication and a high rate of relapse after an initial response. With the present multicentre study, the efficacy of the only specific psychotherapy for chronic depression (Cognitive Behavioural Analysis System of Psychotherapy/CBASP) is compared with a non-specific System of Supportive Psychotherapy/SYSP in early onset chronically depressives. CBASP faired very well in one large trial but has never been directly compared to a non-specific psychotherapeutic control. Another innovative aspect of the study is the use of an extended course of psychotherapy (32 sessions). Primary hypothesis: CBASP is more effective in reducing depressive symptoms than SYSP.
A naturalistic study following up the patients of the trial up to two years after termination of the study treatments is performed in order to investigate the long-term effectiveness of CBASP compared to the System of Supportive Psychotherapy. The primary outcome of this follow-up study is the rate of well-weeks (weeks with no or minimal depression symptoms) during the two years after termination of the study treatments as measured with the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) Interview
University Hospital Freiburg is the lead sponsor of 94 studies on the registry; 18 are open to participants now.
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CBASP as the experimental intervention will follow a manual (McCullough, 2000; German version: Schramm et al., 2006). The approach is specifically tailored for the treatment of chronic forms of depression, particularly with early-onset by focusing on the problems resulting from an inhibition of maturation in early childhood and by using the therapeutic relationship in a personal, disciplined way as well as other specific techniques (e.g. Interpersonal Discrimination Exercise, Situation Analysis). CBASP integrates behavioural, cognitive, and interpersonal strategies.
Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy
The comparator for CBASP is SYSP, a system of supportive psychotherapy, an active but less specific, manualized control treatment. SYSP - defined as non-interpersonal and non-cognitive-behavioral therapy - resembles supportive clinical management, client-centered therapy, counseling, and psychoeducation about depression. There is no specific explanatory mechanism for treatment effect offered to the patient and it does not focus on specific themes.
Behavioral: System of Supportive Psychotherapy
Duration of intervention per patient: 20 weeks acute treatment (n=24 sessions) followed by 28 weeks of continuation treatment (n=8 sessions) Follow-up per patient: 48 weeks after randomisation
Duration of intervention per patient: 20 weeks acute treatment (n=24 sessions) followed by 28 weeks of continuation treatment (n=8 sessions) Follow-up per patient: 48 weeks after randomisation
Also known as: Brief Supportive Psychotherapy
Depressive symptoms as measured by the HRSD (24-item Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression)
Time frame: 20 weeks after randomization (after acute treatment phase)
The record gives a start of Apr 2010, a primary completion of Oct 2013 and a completion of Dec 2014. It does not say whether these dates are actual or estimated.
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This study is completed, as verified in Jul 2017. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University Hospital Freiburg