Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Early-Onset Depression

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder; Dysthymic Disorder

• Registration Number: NCT00096642
• Lead Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Brief Summary

Depression is a debilitating illness affecting large numbers of young people. In this study, children and adolescents ages 10 to 17 meeting criteria for clinical depression will participate in a 15-session group therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT) that teaches strategies for overcoming depressed mood. For half the participants, their parents will also participate in a parent group. By studying the role of parental involvement, we hope to develop more effective treatments for depressed children and teens in the future.

Detailed Description

Depression is a debilitating illness affecting large numbers of young people. Psychotherapy approaches have shown some promise in teens, but few studies have examined these interventions when offered in a group format. The role of parents in treatment outcome has also received little attention.

In this study, children and adolescents ages 10 to 17 meeting criteria for clinical depression will participate in a 15-session group therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT) that teaches strategies for overcoming depressed mood. For half the participants, their parents will also participate in a parent group to help them better manage their depressed children and teens. We will randomly assign children to CBT with or without parental involvement. We hope to show that involving parents results in additional improvements in the children. We will also study factors that predict which children do best in treatment, and maintenance of gains at 6 month and 1 year follow-up. These findings will allow us to provide more effective treatments to depressed children and teens in the future.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2002-06
• Study First Submitted: 2004-11-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2004-11-12
• Study First Posted: 2004-11-15
• Primary Completion: 2006-06
• Study Completion: 2006-06
• Status Verified: 2011-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2011-08-04
• Last Update Posted: 2011-08-05

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• Children and adolescents meeting DSM-IV criteria for either Major Depression or Dysthymic Disorder.

Exclusion Criteria

• Psychotic,
• Actively suicidal,
• IQ less than 80,
• Unable to speak English

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Diagnosis on structured interview	pre and post-intervention
Children's Depression Inventory score	pre- and post-intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children	pre- and post-intervention
Children's Global Assessment Scale	pre- and post-intervention
Brief Family Assessment Measure	pre- and post-intervention
Perceived Competence Scale for Children	pre- and post-intervention

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; 🇨🇦 Toronto, Ontario, Canada