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Interpersonal psychotherapy delivered over the telephone to recurrent depressives. A pilot study
Author(s) -
Miller Lisa,
Weissman Myrna
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
depression and anxiety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.634
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6394
pISSN - 1091-4269
DOI - 10.1002/da.10047
Subject(s) - helpfulness , interpersonal psychotherapy , depression (economics) , interpersonal communication , psychiatry , rating scale , clinical psychology , psychology , randomized controlled trial , psychotherapist , medicine , social psychology , developmental psychology , economics , macroeconomics
Rates of recurrent depression peak among women in their childbearing years, yet a large number of these women are not treated or do not seek maintenance treatment between episodes. Barriers to treatment include time constraints, demands of child care, and finances. A method for improving access to treatment of depression may be delivery of psychotherapy over the telephone. A 12‐week pilot controlled clinical trial with random assignment was conducted to test the feasibility and efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy delivered over the telephone (IPT‐T) for depression in women (N=15 IPT‐T and N=15 no treatment) with a life‐time history of recurrent depression and low rates of previous treatment. Patients were interviewed at baseline and at 12 weeks by a blind and independent clinical evaluator to assess their symptom level and social functioning. IPT‐T as compared to no treatment was significantly better in lowering symptoms of depression as measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (p<.02), improving global functioning (GAS) (p<.02), and improving work and social functioning (p<.03–.05, respectively). These preliminary findings support the feasibility and helpfulness of IPT‐T in preventing an increase in depressive symptoms among women with recurrent depression but current mild to moderately levels of depression. Depression and Anxiety 16:114–117, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.