Group interpersonal psychotherapy for patients with major depression disorder - pilot study.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluated the effectiveness of group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-G) for patients suffering from moderate to severe major depressive disorder (MDD), and who responded to antidepressant drugs during the acute phase treatment.


METHODS
Subjects were allocated into two groups: in the study group subjects entered IPT-G while in the comparison group subjects continued with standard treatment. All subjects were assessed five times during and 6 months after the termination of the IPT-G in a double-blind, matched-control design.


RESULTS
Subjects who participated in the IPT-G demonstrated significant improvement of their depressive symptoms compared to those who received the standard treatment both during the group therapy and in a 6-month follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary results suggest that IPT in a group setting might be effective for a subset of patients who respond to antidepressant medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Small group of patients, lack of different types of treatment as control groups.
Levkovitz
Y
Y
Department of Psychiatry, Shalvata Mental Health Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. yechiel@bs.jhmi.edu
Shahar
G
G
Native
G
G
Hirsfeld
E
E
Treves
I
I
Krieger
I
I
Fennig
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents