Cognitive Behavioural Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) for chronic depression: Clinical characteristics and six month clinical outcomes in an open case series.

BackgroundEvidence-based guidance on how best to treat chronic depression is limited. Cognitive Behavioural Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) has shown some promise with this 'difficult-to-treat' clinical group. This case series was designed to assess the acceptability and utility of this novel treatment in routine clinical practice within the U.K. National Health Service.MethodsWe offered an open trial of CBASP to a cohort of 115 referred patients within primary and secondary care. Diagnostic interview and standardised outcome measures were administered before and after 6 months of CBASP with a trained, accredited therapist.ResultsSeventy-four patients entered therapy, with 46 completing. 30% met criteria for remission (≤ 8 HRSD-24 score) and a further 30% met criteria for clinically significant change (> 8 and≤15 HRSD-24 plus 50% reduction in baseline score). Thirty-nine per cent made “No change”. Group measures of quality of life, social functioning and interpersonal functioning also improved.LimitationsThis was an open study design with a moderate sample size and no control group. Ratings were not completed using a blinded procedure.ConclusionsCBASP is an acceptable therapy for a large proportion of patients with chronic depression and was associated with clinically significant change in 60% of completers.