Research

A randomized controlled trial of a psychoeducational group program for unipolar depression in adults in Norway (NCT00319540)

Odd Steffen Dalgard

Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Marcus Thranes gt. 6, P.O. 4404 Oslo, Norway

Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health 2006, 2:15doi:10.1186/1745-0179-2-15

Published:	28 June 2006

Abstract

Background

Coping with Depression Course (CWD) has shown to be effective in the treatment of depression. However, there are very few randomized controlled trials on unipolar depression in adults

Aims

To test the effect of a modified CWD on unipolar depression in a randomized controlled trial design in adults.

Methods

Participants were recruited through mass media, tested by BDI and clinical interview, and randomized into intervention group (N = 81) and control group (N = 74). The program was mainly conducted by nurses with background in psychiatry and primary health care, and the intervention encompassed 8 weekly sessions of 2 1/2 hours, with 3 booster sessions.

Results

By "intention-to-treat" analysis a statistically significant effect on depressive symptoms at follow up at 6 months was found, and the level of symptoms was sustained after 12 months.

Conclusion

The study shows that the intervention is effective in the treatment of unipolar depression, and suitable for specialized psychiatric services as well as primary health care.