Dose–effect relations in time-limited combined psycho-pharmacological treatment for depression

Abstract

Background. A limited number of psychotherapy sessions in combination with medication is preferable to pharmacotherapy only in the treatment of ambulatory patients with major depression. Whether there is a relation between the number of sessions and the efficacy of the treatment is uncertain.

Is interpersonal counselling (IPC) sufficient treatment for depression in primary care patients? A pilot study comparing IPC and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)

“…Systematic studies of the ideal dosage of short-term psychotherapy for gaining the optimal outcome are rare, however. The Second Sheffield Psychotherapy Project (SPP2) of Shapiro et al (1995) and the reports of Dekker et al (2005) and Molenaar et al (2011) found no overall difference in the reduction of depressive symptoms between courses of 8 or 16 psychotherapy sessions.…”

The Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy in the Outpatient Treatment of Major Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…CBT was based on the principles described by Beck (19) and included behavioral activation and cognitive restructuring according to a session-bysession protocol with homework assignments. Short-term psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy (18,(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) was used to represent the psychodynamic intervention. This modality involved an open patient-therapist dialogue that used supportive and insight-facilitating techniques to address the emotional background of the depressive symptoms by discussing current relationships, internalized past relationships, and intrapersonal patterns.…”

Clinical use of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale: is increased efficiency possible? A post hoc comparison of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Maier and Bech subscales, Clinical Global Impression, and Symptom Checklist-90 scores

“…In the present analyses, we use data from 2 published, randomized controlled trials conducted between 1993 and 1998 [45,46]. The first trial aimed at efficacy and effectiveness of pharmacotherapy versus the combination of pharmacotherapy with Short Psychodynamic Supportive Psychotherapy (SPSP) [47][48][49][50] (16 sessions) [45].…”

“…The first trial aimed at efficacy and effectiveness of pharmacotherapy versus the combination of pharmacotherapy with Short Psychodynamic Supportive Psychotherapy (SPSP) [47][48][49][50] (16 sessions) [45]. The second trial investigated efficacy and effectiveness of a combination of pharmacotherapy with 8 versus 16 sessions of SPSP [46]. Pharmacotherapy in both trials consisted of Inclusion criteria for participation in the trials were age between 18 and 60 years, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Editiondefined major depression (with or without dysthymia) assessed in a structured clinical interview, a 17-item HDRS baseline score of at least 14 points, and written informed consent.…”