Elisabet Hermida

Comparison of relaxation training with a cognitive-behavioural intervention for indicated prevention of depression in university students: A randomized controlled trial

Although cognitive-behavioural programmes for preventing depression have produced promising findings, their administration requires extensive training. Relaxation techniques are more straightforward psychological strategies, but they have not been investigated in the prevention of depression. This trial aimed to compare the results of relaxation training (RT) with that of a cognitive-behavioural programme (CBT) for prevention of depression in university students with elevated depressive symptoms. The 133 participants (mean age 23.3 years, 82% women) were randomly assigned to CBT or RT. Both programmes were administered to groups of 5 or 6 participants in eight weekly 90-min sessions. Participants were evaluated by independent raters before, immediately after, and 3 and 6 months after taking part in the programmes. By itself, intervention type had no significant effect on either depression or anxiety scores. The scores were lower at the follow-up time points with respect to pre-intervention scores. Effect size was greatest between pre- and immediately post-intervention scores for CBT, d = 1.32, 95% CI [1.00, 1.64], and between pre- and 6-month post-intervention scores for RT, d = 0.75, 95% CI [0.47, 1.03]. Anxiety symptoms were significantly improved by both interventions at 3-month follow-up, and by CBT at 6-month follow-up also. In the medium term (3-6 months), relaxation training produced similar reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms as a more complex cognitive-behavioural programme.

Prevalence of major depressive episodes in non-professional caregivers.

Despite research demonstrating the psychological burden associated with caregiving, there is limited information regarding the real rates of clinical depression among non-professional caregivers (NCs) of dependent patients. The goals of the current study are (a) to report the prevalence of major depressive episodes (MDEs) and the frequency of depressive symptoms in NCs from Galicia (Spain) and (b) to examine the relationship between MDEs and characteristics of caregivers, care recipients, and the care situation. A sample of 504 NCs providing care to persons with all kinds of disorders that result in dependency was randomly selected, and the occurrence of MDEs was assessed by trained interviewers who applied the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders-Clinician Version (SCID-CV). Overall, 8.9% of NCs met the criteria for a current MDE. Sleep problems, diminished ability to think or concentrate, and depressed mood were the clinical depressive symptoms most frequently reported. MDEs were significantly more common among NCs older than 55 years old (odds ratio [OR]=1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-3.75) and those who were unemployed (OR=3.43; 95% CI 1.02-11.48). The findings highlight the magnitude of major depression in this population.

Intervenciones psicológicas para cuidadores con síntomas depresivos: revisión sistemática y metanálisis

It has been well determined that nonprofessional caregiving, which is a fundamental component of care to dependent persons, may lead to an increased risk for mental disorders in caregivers, especially depression. This paper sought to conduct a systematic

Relationship of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Effects and Homework in an Indicated Prevention of Depression Intervention for Non-Professional Caregivers

Activities designed to be performed outside of the intervention are considered an essential aspect of the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, these have received little attention in interventions aimed at individuals with subclinical depressive symptoms who do not yet meet diagnostic criteria for depression (indicated prevention). In this study, the completion of tasks given as homework and their relationship with post-treatment depressive symptoms was with relation to an indicated prevention of depression intervention. Eighty-nine female non-professional caregivers recruited from an official registry completed an intervention involving 11 homework tasks. Tasks performed were recorded and depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES–D). Among caregivers, 80.9% completed 9–11 tasks. The number of tasks performed was associated with post-treatment depressive symptoms, with 9 being optimal for clinically significant improvement. These findings highlight the relationship between homework and post-treatment depressive symptoms.

Intervenciones psicológicas administradas por teléfono para la depresión: una revisión sistemática y meta-análisis

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of telephone-administered psychological interventions for mood disor - ders. A systematic search was conducted using the databases PsycINFO, Medline, the Cochrane Library Database, from 1974 to December 2013; seventeen studies were selected. In the studies different kinds of psychological interventions were assessed, mostly cognitive-behavioral, with results, at least, as positive as those obtained in face-to-face psychotherapy, with a combined small- medium effect size of −0.42 according to Cohens d 95% CI (−0.50, −0.34). The data obtai- ned in most of the studies suggest that the telephone constitutes an useful tool in the field of KEYWORDS Depression; Review; Psychotherapy; Telehealth; Telephone psychological interventions