Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
7261800 | Behaviour Research and Therapy | 2018 | 35 Pages |
Abstract
Impaired ability to recall specific autobiographical memories is characteristic of depression, which when reversed, may have therapeutic benefits. This cluster-randomized controlled pilot trial investigated efficacy and aspects of acceptability, and feasibility of MEmory Specificity Training (MEST) relative to Psychoeducation and Supportive Counselling (PSC) for Major Depressive Disorder (Nâ¯=â¯62). A key aim of this study was to determine a range of effect size estimates to inform a later phase trial. Assessments were completed at baseline, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. The cognitive process outcome was memory specificity. The primary clinical outcome was symptoms on the Beck Depression Inventory-II at 3-month follow-up. The MEST group demonstrated greater improvement in memory specificity relative to PSC at post-intervention (dâ¯=â¯0.88) and follow-up (dâ¯=â¯0.74), relative to PSC. Both groups experienced a reduction in depressive symptoms at 3-month follow-up (dâ¯=â¯0.67). However, there was no support for a greater improvement in depressive symptoms at 3 months following MEST relative to PSC (dâ¯=â¯â0.04). Although MEST generated changes on memory specificity and improved depressive symptoms, results provide no indication that MEST is superior to PSC in the resolution of self-reported depressive symptoms. Implications for later-phase definitive trials of MEST are discussed.
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Authors
Aliza Werner-Seidler, Caitlin Hitchcock, Anna Bevan, Anna McKinnon, Julia Gillard, Theresa Dahm, Isobel Chadwick, Inderpal Panesar, Lauren Breakwell, Viola Mueller, Evangeline Rodrigues, Catrin Rees, Siobhan Gormley, Susanne Schweizer, Peter Watson,