title: Improving outcome for mental disorders by enhancing memory for treatment.
abstract: Patients exhibit poor memory for treatment. A novel Memory Support Intervention, derived from basic science in cognitive psychology and education, is tested with the goal of improving patient memory for treatment and treatment outcome. Adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) were randomized to 14 sessions of cognitive therapy (CT)+Memory Support (n = 25) or CT-as-usual (n = 23). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-treatment and 6 months later. Memory support was greater in CT+Memory Support compared to the CT-as-usual. Compared to CT-as-usual, small to medium effect sizes were observed for recall of treatment points at post-treatment. There was no difference between the treatment arms on depression severity (primary outcome). However, the odds of meeting criteria for 'response' and 'remission' were higher in CT+Memory Support compared with CT-as-usual. CT+Memory Support also showed an advantage on functional impairment. While some decline was observed, the advantage of CT+Memory Support was evident through 6-month follow-up. Patients with less than 16 years of education experience greater benefits from memory support than those with 16 or more years of education. Memory support can be manipulated, may improve patient memory for treatment and may be associated with an improved outcome.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Electronic address: aharvey@berkeley.edu.
authors.forename: Allison G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.affiliation: University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Rita L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Gumport
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Hollon
authors.affiliation: University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rabe-Hesketh
authors.affiliation: University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Kerrie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hein
authors.affiliation: University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Emily A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Dolsen
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Kirsten L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Haman
authors.affiliation: University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kanady
authors.affiliation: University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Monique A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Deidre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abrons
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cognitive therapy; Depression; Memory; Transdiagnostic