An adjunctive Management of Depression Program for difficult-to-treat depressed patients and their families.
BACKGROUND
The goal of this open-label feasibility trial was to test a short-term, adjunctive intervention, the Management of Depression (MoD) Program, to determine if patients with difficult-to-treat forms of depression and their family members could learn to cope more effectively with their illness.


METHODS
Nineteen patients meeting The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV criteria for major depressive disorder, dysthymia, or chronic/recurrent depression and their family members participated in an open-label study testing the efficacy of the MoD Program. The intervention consisted of nine sessions over 16 weeks, followed by an 8-month maintenance phase. Outcome measures focused on quality of life, psychological and family functioning, and level of depression.


RESULTS
Fourteen patients and their family members improved significantly in psychosocial and family functioning, and depression severity (all P-values <.05) by the end of the 16-week intervention. There was also significant improvement in quality of life, psychosocial and family functioning, and depression scores (all P-values<.05) for the 10 patients who completed the maintenance phase.


CONCLUSIONS
The MoD Program is a useful adjunctive intervention that helped patients and their family members deal more effectively with their persisting depression. The disease management approach improved the patient's perceived quality of life and functioning, reduced depressive symptoms, and improved perception of their family's functioning.
Ryan
Christine E
CE
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Keitner
G I
GI
Bishop
S
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology; D005196:Family Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents