Is there a role for continuation phase cognitive therapy for depressed outpatients?

Two pilot studies evaluated the rate of relapse or recurrence (i.e., major depressive disorder) after cognitive therapy (Cf). Two sequential cohorts i ncluded outpatients who responded to acute phase CT (A-CT) and who agreed t o monthly treatment-free follow-up. In Study 1, the Kaplan-Meier technique estimated relapse and recurrence rates of 40% at 6 months, 45% at 8 months, 50% at 12 months, 67% at Is months, and 74% at 24 months. In Study 2, resp onders to A-CT received 8 months (10 sessions) of continuation phase CT (C- CT). In Study 2, relapse or recurrence was 20% at 6 and 8 months, 27% at 12 months, and 36% at Ig and 24 months after A-CT. An exploratory log-rank te st showed that relapse or recurrence-free survival was greater in Study 2 t han in Study 1. If replicated, this result suggests that C-CT can reduce de pressive relapse or recurrence. Alternative explanations are presented.