Group interpersonal psychotherapy for patients with major depression disorder - pilot study

Background: This study evaluated the effectiveness of group interpersonal p sychotherapy (IPT-G) for patients suffering from moderate to severe major d epressive disorder (MDD), and who responded to antidepressant drugs during the acute phase treatment. Method: Subjects were allocated into two groups: in the study group subjects entered IPT-G while in the comparison group su bjects continued with standard treatment. All subjects were assessed five t imes during and 6 months after the termination of the IPT-G in a double-bli nd, matched-control design. Results: Subjects who participated in the IPT-G demonstrated significant improvement of their depressive symptoms compared to those who received the standard treatment both during the group therapy and in a 6-month follow-up period. Conclusions: Our preliminary results su ggest that IPT in a group setting might be effective for a subset of patien ts who respond to antidepressant medication. Limitation: Small group of pat ients, lack of different types of treatment as control groups. (C) 2000 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.