Workplace-Related Interpersonal Group Psychotherapy to Improve Life at Work in Individuals With Major Depressive Disorders: A Randomized Interventional Pilot Study

Abstract

Objectives: Individuals suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) often report workplace-related stress as the major cause of their disorder. Accordingly, workplacerelated stress was established as a fifth psychosocial problem area of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (workplace-related Interpersonal Psychotherapy, W-IPT). The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of W-IPT on depressive symptoms and on workplace-related issues in individuals with MDD compared to a treatment-as-usual (TAU) condition. Methods: A total of 27 individuals with MDD (mean age = 43 years, 48% males) were randomly assigned either to eight weekly group sessions of W-IPT or to the TAU condition. At baseline, 8 weeks later at the end of the intervention, and 20 weeks later at follow-up, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was conducted. In addition, the participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Work Ability Index (WAI), the Return to Work Attitude (RTW-SE), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Results: Symptoms of depression in experts' ratings as well as in self-rated ratings decreased over time, but more so in the W-IPT condition compared to the TAU condition [experts rating: large effect size (d = 1.25) and self-assessment: large effect sizes (d = 0.94)]. The subjective ability to work (WAI) [medium effect size (d = 0.68)], self-efficacy to returning to work RTW-SE [medium effect size (d = 0.57)], and subjective symptoms of insomnia (ISI) [large effect size (d = 1.15)] increased over time, but again more so in the W-IPT condition compared to the TAU condition. The effects of the intervention remained stable from the end of the intervention to follow-up. Conclusions: The pattern of results of this pilot study suggests that a newly established fifth IPT focus on workplace-related stress appeared to be particularly efficient in

Early intervention, treatment and rehabilitation of employees with common mental disorders by using psychotherapeutic consultation at work: study protocol of a randomised controlled multicentre trial (friaa project)

“…Concepts of work-related psychotherapy were most often developed to support vocational reintegration of employees being sick-listed due to CMDs, including - inter alia - work-related assessments, assistance in drawing RTW plans and contacting employers and occupational physicians as well as evaluation of RTW steps [ 19 – 24 ]. However, work-related psychotherapy could also contribute to reduction of depressive symptoms and improvement of work ability at earlier stages [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Improving Employment Through Interpersonal Psychotherapy: A Case Series of Patients With Treatment-Refractory Depression

“…As noted above, IPT is a treatment that deals with social support itself, so improving symptoms with IPT and restoring social function may be of constant relevance. Reports on IPT that compared treatment as usual (TAU) and group sessions of workplace-related interpersonal psychotherapy (W-IPT) among 27 depression patients have shown that it has significant effects on depressive symptoms as well as in subjective work performance, self-efficacy to return to work, and insomnia (18). A randomized trial that compared eight sessions of W-IPT and TAU in 28 patients with depression exhibited significant improvements and the effectiveness of W-IPT in reducing depressive symptoms, work-ability (WAI), return-towork attitude (RTW-SE), and the effort-reward ratio (ERI) (19).…”

How a Depressive Medical Doctor Profited in the Long-Term from a New and Short Psychological Group-Treatment against Major Depressive Disorder

“…Therefore, he concluded that most probably he was having a mental problem, i.e., a depressive episode. He realized that something needed to change, and that is why took part in our W-IPT study [ 33 ].…”

“…Bob was able to adapt. According to him, he profited most from the communication of the Kiesler Cirumplex model [ 33 , 35 ]. Moreover, it helped him to be aware of his self-awareness and self-care.…”

“…The newly developed workplace-related interpersonal psychotherapy (W-IPT) in groups is a specific treatment to focus on workplace-related issues in individuals with MDD [ 32 , 33 ].…”