title: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy versus Short Psychodynamic Supportive Psychotherapy in the outpatient treatment of depression: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous research has shown that Short Psychodynamic Supportive Psychotherapy (SPSP) is an effective alternative to pharmacotherapy and combined treatment (SPSP and pharmacotherapy) in the treatment of depressed outpatients. The question remains, however, how Short Psychodynamic Supportive Psychotherapy compares with other established psychotherapy methods. The present study compares Short Psychodynamic Supportive Psychotherapy to the evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in terms of acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy in the outpatient treatment of depression. Moreover, this study aims to identify clinical predictors that can distinguish patients who may benefit from either of these treatments in particular. This article outlines the study protocol. The results of the study, which is being currently carried out, will be presented as soon as they are available.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult outpatients with a main diagnosis of major depressive disorder or depressive disorder not otherwise specified according to DSM-IV criteria and mild to severe depressive symptoms (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score > or = 14) are randomly allocated to Short Psychodynamic Supportive Psychotherapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Both treatments are individual psychotherapies consisting of 16 sessions within 22 weeks. Assessments take place at baseline (week 0), during the treatment period (week 5 and 10) and at treatment termination (week 22). In addition, a follow-up assessment takes place one year after treatment start (week 52). Primary outcome measures are the number of patients refusing treatment (acceptability); the number of patients terminating treatment prematurely (feasibility); and the severity of depressive symptoms (efficacy) according to an independent rater, the clinician and the patient. Secondary outcome measures include general psychopathology, general psychotherapy outcome, pain, health-related quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. Clinical predictors of treatment outcome include demographic variables, psychiatric symptoms, cognitive and psychological patient characteristics and the quality of the therapeutic relationship.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study evaluates Short Psychodynamic Supportive Psychotherapy as a treatment for depressed outpatients by comparing it to the established evidence-based treatment Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Specific strengths of this study include its strong external validity and the clinical relevance of its research aims. Limitations of the study are discussed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trails ISRCTN31263312.
authors.affiliation: Depression Research Group, JellinekMentrum Mental Health Care, Overschiestraat 65, 1062 XD Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.driessen@psy.vu.nl
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Driessen
authors.forename: Henricus L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Van
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schoevers
authors.forename: Pim
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cuijpers
authors.forename: Gerda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van Aalst
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Don
authors.forename: Mariëlle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hendriksen
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kool
authors.forename: Pieter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Molenaar
authors.forename: Jaap
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peen
authors.forename: Jack J M
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Dekker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome