A group of German researchers recently conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of an inpatient cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy (CBASP) for the treatment of chronic depression in people with comorbidity. They aimed to see if CBASP would be a viable option and produce both short term and long term results. CBASP was originally created for the treatment of depression on an outpatient basis. It combines several different types of therapy, including behavioral, psychodynamic theories, and cognitive-emotional, to combat the symptoms of depression. Because many people who suffer from depression also experience suicidal ideation and have a history of being resistant to other therapies, many must receive their care on an inpatient basis.
The researchers took the CBASP and molded it to conform to the inpatient setting required by the clients and monitored the treatment closely to gauge the short and long-term outcomes. This adapted CBASP integrated role playing and situation analysis, and the clinicians received intensive training through weekly workshops. Music therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy were also included in the CBASP, as well as pharmacotherapy according to the standard guidelines for the treatment of depression. The researchers developed a support group to help the clients continue their recovery and to prevent relapse after they completed their inpatient treatment.
The study involved ten clients who had been diagnosed with chronic depression. Each was evaluated six months after treatment. The CBASP was delivered easily and caused no disruption to the daily routine of the clinical setting at the time. The initial findings of this pilot study showed that four of the ten clients went into remission after receiving the CBASP. The six who did not respond were also diagnosed with personality disorders. Although these results are limited, the researchers are optimistic that even though these participants had chronic depression, six remained in remission six months after receiving the treatment and only one patient relapsed.
© Copyright 2011 by By John Smith, therapist in Bellingham, Washington. All Rights Reserved. Permission to publish granted to GoodTherapy.org.
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