Modification of interpersonal psychotherapy with depressed adolescents (IPT-A): phase I and II studies.
OBJECTIVE
To test the acceptability and efficacy of interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed adolescents (IPT-A).


METHODS
In phase I, therapeutic methods were explored and refined in a small sample of depressed adolescents (n = 5). In phase II, 14 depressed adolescents entered a 12-week open clinical trial of IPT-A; after independent evaluation. Subjects were assessed using a semistructured diagnostic interview, self-report, and clinician-administered instruments, at six time points: evaluation week, and weeks 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12.


RESULTS
In phase I, treatment was modified to meet the needs of an adolescent population and was standardized in a treatment manual. The results of phase II indicated a significant decrease in adolescents' depressive symptomatology and symptoms of psychological and physical distress, as well as a significant improvement in functioning over the course of treatment. At termination, none of the subjects met DSM-III-R criteria for any depressive disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
IPT-A appears to be a promising therapy for depressed adolescents. However, because of the limitations of the current study, a larger randomized controlled clinical trial is still needed to test its efficacy.
Mufson
L
L
Children's Anxiety and Depression Clinic, New York, NY.
Moreau
D
D
Weissman
M M
MM
Wickramaratne
P
P
Martin
J
J
Samoilov
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010553:Personality Development; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome