Interpersonal psychotherapy and depression

A trial on 124 people hospitalized for major depression in Germany compared the effects of five weeks of interpersonal psychotherapy and antidepressants with the usual treatment for depression, in this case medication plus intensive clinical management. After five weeks those patients who received interpersonal psychotherapy had a significantly greater reduction in symptoms compared to patients in the other group. Response rates were higher for the interpersonal psychotherapy group (70% vs 51%) and remission rates were also higher (49% vs 34%). After three months only 3% of the interpersonal therapy group had relapsed compared to 25% of the other group. However, after nine months there was no significant difference between the two groups.

Schramm, Elisabeth ... [et al] - An intensive treatment program of interpersonal psychotherapy plus pharmacotherapy for depressed patients : acute and long-term results American Journal of Psychiatry May 2007, 164 (5), 768-777