Long-term outcomes of once weekly v. twice weekly sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy for depression

Psychol Med. 2024 Feb;54(3):517-526. doi: 10.1017/S0033291723002143. Epub 2023 Sep 4.

Abstract

Background: Twice weekly sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for major depressive disorder (MDD) lead to less drop-out and quicker and better response compared to once weekly sessions at posttreatment, but it is unclear whether these effects hold over the long run.

Aims: Compare the effects of twice weekly v. weekly sessions of CBT and IPT for depression up to 24 months since the start of treatment.

Methods: Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, this multicentre study randomized 200 adults with MDD to once or twice weekly sessions of CBT or IPT over 16-24 weeks, up to a maximum of 20 sessions. Main outcome measures were depression severity, measured with the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted.

Results: Compared with patients who received once weekly sessions, patients who received twice weekly sessions showed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms up through month 9, but this effect was no longer apparent at month 24. Patients who received CBT showed a significantly larger decrease in depressive symptoms up to month 24 compared to patients who received IPT, but the between-group effect size at month 24 was small. No differential effects between session frequencies or treatment modalities were found in response or relapse rates.

Conclusions: Although a higher session frequency leads to better outcomes in the acute phase of treatment, the difference in depression severity dissipated over time and there was no significant difference in relapse.

Keywords: Cognitive behavioral therapy; depression; interpersonal psychotherapy; long-term effects.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Depression / therapy
  • Depressive Disorder, Major* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy*
  • Psychotherapy
  • Recurrence
  • Treatment Outcome