COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION - RELAPSE PREVENTION

This study presents a-year follow-up data of a comparison between comp lete cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression (CT) and its 2 major components: behavioral activation and behavioral activation with autom atic thought modification. Data are reported on 137 participants who w ere randomly assigned to 1 of these 3 treatments for up to 20 sessions with experienced cognitive-behavioral therapists. Long-term effects o f the therapy were evaluated through relapse rates, number of asymptom atic or minimally symptomatic weeks, and survival times at 6-, 12-, 18 -, and 24-month follow-ups. CT was no more effective than its componen ts in preventing relapse. Both clinical and theoretical implications o f these findings are discussed.