Tps. Oei et Aeo. Yeoh, Pre-existing antidepressant medication and the outcome of group cognitive-behavioural therapy, AUST NZ J P, 33(1), 1999, pp. 70-76
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of pre-existing medic
ation on the outcome of group cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in the tr
eatment of patients with depression.
Method: Of the 71 patients diagnosed with major depression who participated
in group CBT, 25 were on medication (CBT-M) and 46 were unmedicated (CBT).
The patients received 12 sessions of group CBT over a 3-month period. The
dependent measures used were the Beck Depression Inventory, Zung Self-Ratin
g Depression Scale, Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, Hopelessness Scale, D
ysfunctional Attitude Scale, Daily Activity Rating Scale and Daily Mood Rat
ing Scale.
Results: Both the CBT and CBT-M groups showed statistically significant imp
rovement in depression scores and cognitive process measures. However, the
rate of improvement for both groups on these measures did not differ.
Conclusion: The study indicated that pre-existing antidepressant medication
did not enhance or detract from the positive treatment outcome of depresse
d patients receiving a group CBT treatment.