JustKiddo/KiddosVault huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of an internet and app-based gratitude intervention in reducing repetitive negative thinking and mechanisms of change in the intervention's effect on anxiety and depression: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) has been identified as a transdiagnostic process that is involved in various forms of psychopathology, including anxiety and depression. This randomized controlled trial compared a 5-week internet and app-based gratitude intervention (intervention group; IG) with adherence-focused guidance against a wait list control group (WLG) in reducing RNT in a sample with elevated RNT. A total of 260 individuals were randomized to either the IG or the WLG. Data were collected at baseline (T1), within one week post intervention (T2), and at three (3-MFU) and six-months of follow-up (6-MFU; for IG only). The primary outcome was RNT. Secondary outcomes included other mental health outcomes and resilience factors. Participants of the IG reported significantly less RNT at T2 (d = 0.61) and 3-MFU (d = 0.75) as compared to WLG. Improvements were sustained until 6-MFU. Significant, small to moderate effect sizes were identified for most secondary outcomes at T2 and 3-MFU. Furthermore, results of mediation analyses revealed that the gratitude intervention exerts its effect on anxiety and depression by reducing the risk factor of RNT, while the mediating role of resilience was less clear. The gratitude intervention investigated in this study was found to be effective in reducing RNT. Gratitude interventions might affect mental health by two parallel pathways: increasing resources and reducing risk factors. EB 201701-03-Lehr. DRKS00011862. The trial protocol can be assessed at: https://www.drks.de/.
Metacognitive Training for Depression (D-MCT) reduces false memories in depression. A randomized controlled trial.

Metacognitive Training for Depression (D-MCT) is a highly standardized group program targeted at depression-related ("Beckian") emotional as well as cognitive biases, including mood-congruent and false memory. While prior results are promising with respect to psychopathological outcomes (depression), it is unclear whether D-MCT also meets its goal of improving cognitive biases, such as false memories. In the framework of a randomized controlled trial (registered trial, DRKS00007907), we investigated whether D-MCT is superior to an active control condition (health training, HT) in reducing the susceptibility of depressed patients for false memories. False memories were examined using parallel versions of a visual variant of the Deese-Roediger McDermott paradigm. Both groups committed less false memories at post assessment after 4 weeks compared to baseline. Relative to HT, D-MCT led to a significant decrease in high-confident false memories over time. The study presents first evidence that D-MCT decreases the susceptibility of depressed patients for false memories, particularly for errors made with high confidence that are presumably the most "toxic" in terms of mood-congruent memory distortions.
Sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) with adaptive randomization for quality improvement in depression treatment program.

Implementation study is an important tool for deploying state-of-the-art treatments from clinical efficacy studies into a treatment program, with the dual goals of learning about effectiveness of the treatments and improving the quality of care for patients enrolled into the program. In this article, we deal with the design of a treatment program of dynamic treatment regimens (DTRs) for patients with depression post-acute coronary syndrome. We introduce a novel adaptive randomization scheme for a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial of DTRs. Our approach adapts the randomization probabilities to favor treatment sequences having comparatively superior Q-functions used in Q-learning. The proposed approach addresses three main concerns of an implementation study: it allows incorporation of historical data or opinions, it includes randomization for learning purposes, and it aims to improve care via adaptation throughout the program. We demonstrate how to apply our method to design a depression treatment program using data from a previous study. By simulation, we illustrate that the inputs from historical data are important for the program performance measured by the expected outcomes of the enrollees, but also show that the adaptive randomization scheme is able to compensate poorly specified historical inputs by improving patient outcomes within a reasonable horizon. The simulation results also confirm that the proposed design allows efficient learning of the treatments by alleviating the curse of dimensionality.
Internet-delivered cognitive control training as a preventive intervention for remitted depressed patients: Evidence from a double-blind randomized controlled trial study.

Cognitive control impairments may place remitted depressed (RMD) patients at increased risk for developing future depressive symptomatology by disrupting emotion regulation processes. Research has shown that directly targeting cognitive control has beneficial effects on high trait ruminators and clinically depressed patients. The current study tested whether internet-delivered cognitive control training (CCT) can be used as an intervention to increase resilience to depression in RMD patients. Effects of CCT were assessed using a double-blind randomized controlled design. RMD patients performed 10 sessions of a working memory-based CCT (N = 34) or a low cognitive load training (N = 34; active control condition) over a period of 14 days. Assessments took place prior to training, immediately following 2 weeks of training, and at 3 months follow-up. Brooding and depressive symptomatology were selected as primary outcome measures, alternative indicators for emotion regulation and residual symptomatology were selected as secondary outcome measures, along with indicators of functioning. Compared to an active control condition, CCT demonstrated beneficial effects on a cognitive transfer task, brooding, depressive symptomatology, residual complaints, self-reported use of general maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, and resilience after controlling for intention to treat. Furthermore, completers of the CCT reported a reduction in experienced disability and cognitive complaints. However, no beneficial effects were found for self-reported use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of CCT as an intervention to reduce cognitive vulnerability, residual symptomatology, and foster resilience following recovery from depression. CCT thus holds potential as a preventive intervention for RMD patients. (PsycINFO Database Record
Cognitive training for modifying interpretation and attention bias in depression: Relevance to mood improvement and implications for cognitive intervention in depression.

Depressed individuals interpret ambiguous information more negatively and this has been suggested a central component in cognitive models of depression. In this study we investigated the effectiveness of the interpretation modification training on modifying interpretation bias in depression and its association with symptoms reduction. In a double-blind, randomized controlled design, twenty-two depressed individuals (mean age=19.86, SD=1.16) were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. They completed 10 sessions of cognitive training with the Ambiguous Hallmark Program (AHP) over 5 weeks. Participants' interpretation bias and their depressive scores were assessed and compared before and after the intervention. Results showed that the AHP significantly decreased negative interpretation in the experimental group. Additionally, a significant decrease in the depressive scores was also observed in the intervention group compared to the control group. We also observed the transfer of learning from the AHP training to another interpretation bias task. The AHP can significantly modify negative interpretations and symptoms in depression providing preliminary supporting evidence for its clinical application especially in mild-to-moderate depression. Improved cognitive control over emotional information and unbiased attention to them could explain effects of the Interpretation modification paradigm. Further studies need to examine the efficacy of the AHP as a potential cognitive intervention in depression.
Social problem solving and depressive symptoms over time: a randomized clinical trial of cognitive-behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy, brief supportive psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy.

Depression is associated with poor social problem solving, and psychotherapies that focus on problem-solving skills are efficacious in treating depression. We examined the associations between treatment, social problem solving, and depression in a randomized clinical trial testing the efficacy of psychotherapy augmentation for chronically depressed patients who failed to fully respond to an initial trial of pharmacotherapy (Kocsis et al., 2009). Participants with chronic depression (n = 491) received cognitive-behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy (CBASP; McCullough, 2000), which emphasizes interpersonal problem solving, plus medication; brief supportive psychotherapy (BSP) plus medication; or medication alone for 12 weeks. CBASP plus pharmacotherapy was associated with significantly greater improvement in social problem solving than BSP plus pharmacotherapy, and a trend for greater improvement in problem solving than pharmacotherapy alone. In addition, change in social problem solving predicted subsequent change in depressive symptoms over time. However, the magnitude of the associations between changes in social problem solving and subsequent depressive symptoms did not differ across treatment conditions. It does not appear that improved social problem solving is a mechanism that uniquely distinguishes CBASP from other treatment approaches.
Rumination as a predictor of relapse in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression.

In mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), it is proposed that training in mindfulness should reduce the tendency of formerly depressed patients to enter into ruminative thinking, thus reducing their risk of depressive relapse. However, data showing that rumination is associated with depressive relapse are lacking. In an uncontrolled study with 24 formerly depressed patients, rumination was assessed with the Ruminative Response Scale. To assess the occurrence of relapse or recurrence, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV was administered 12 months after the end of the MBCT. Rumination significantly decreased during the MBCT course. Post-treatment levels of rumination predicted the risk of relapse of major depressive disorder in the 12-month follow-up period even after controlling for numbers of previous episodes and residual depressive symptoms. The results provide preliminary evidence that rumination is important in the process of depressive relapse.
Therapeutic alliance in face-to-face and telephone-administered cognitive behavioral therapy.

Telephone-administered therapies have emerged as an alternative method of delivery for the treatment of depression, yet concerns persist that the use of the telephone may have a deleterious effect on therapeutic alliance. The purpose of this study was to compare therapeutic alliance in clients receiving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression by telephone (T-CBT) or face-to-face (FtF-CBT). We randomized 325 participants to receive 18 sessions of T-CBT or FtF-CBT. The Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) was administered at Weeks 4 and 14. Depression was measured during treatment and over 1 year posttreatment follow-up using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. There were no significant differences in client or therapist WAI between T-CBT or FtF-CBT (Cohen's f² ranged from 0 to .013, all ps > .05). All WAI scores predicted depression end of treatment outcomes (Cohen's f² ranged from .009 to .06, all ps < .02). The relationship between the WAI and depression outcomes did not vary by treatment group (Cohen's f² ranged from 0 to .004, ps > .07). The WAI did not significantly predict depression during posttreatment follow-up (all ps > .12). Results from this analysis do not support the hypothesis that the use of the telephone to provide CBT reduces therapeutic alliance relative to FtF-CBT.
The Effects of Computerized Cognitive Control Training on Community Adults with Depressed Mood.

Depression is frequently characterized by patterns of inflexible, maladaptive, and ruminative thinking styles, which are thought to result from a combination of decreased attentional control, decreased executive functioning, and increased negative affect. Cognitive Control Training (CCT) uses computer-based behavioral exercises with the aim of strengthening cognitive and emotional functions. A previous study found that severely depressed participants who received CCT exhibited reduced negative affect and rumination as well as improved concentration. The present study aimed to extend this line of research by employing a more stringent control group and testing the efficacy of three sessions of CCT over a 2-week period in a community population with depressed mood. Forty-eight participants with high Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) scores were randomized to CCT or a comparison condition (Peripheral Vision Training; PVT). Significant large effect sizes favoring CCT over PVT were found on the BDI-II (d = 0.73, p < .05) indicating CCT was effective in reducing negative mood. Additionally, correlations showed significant relationships between CCT performance (indicating ability to focus attention on CCT) and state affect ratings. Our results suggest that CCT is effective in altering depressed mood, although it may be specific to select mood dimensions.
Does cognitive behavioral therapy for depression target positive affect? Examining affect and cognitive change session-to-session.

Researchers have been interested in the role of negative affect (NA) and positive affect (PA) in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression. We examined cognitive change (CC) and these two affect variables across the course of CBT. Patients (N = 125; M age = 31.7, SD = 13.35; 60% female; 83% Caucasian) participated in 16 weeks of CBT for depression. They completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Immediate Cognitive Change Scale at each session and a measure of affect before and after each session. NA decreased (rate of change p < .001, d = -1.08) and PA increased (p < .001, d = 0.53) during treatment. CC predicted next-session PA, 0.06, 95% CI [0.01, 0.11], and NA, -0.09, 95% CI [-0.14, -0.04], and was concurrently associated with change in PA, 0.36, 95% CI [0.30, 0.42], and NA, -0.32, 95% CI [-0.42, -0.26], over the course of a session. Presession PA, 0.22, 95% CI [0.17, 0.26], and NA, -0.13, 95% CI [-0.17, -0.08], predicted postsession CC, while pre to postsession change in PA, -0.05, 95% CI [-0.09, -0.002], and NA, 0.06, 95% CI [0.01, 0.11], predicted change in depressive symptoms. Although NA and PA both change in CBT, the changes in PA are more modest. Both NA and PA predict symptom change, consistent with the possibility that increasing PA may be beneficial. CC and affect change are reciprocally related, suggesting that CC may contribute to affect change, while affect may also facilitate CC. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Predictors of Symptom Outcome in Interpretation Bias Modification for Dysphoria.

Interpretation Bias Modification (IBM) interventions have been effective in reducing negative interpretation biases theorized to underlie depressive psychopathology. Although these programs have been highlighted as potential short-term interventions for depression, mixed evidence has been found for their effects on depressive symptoms. There is a need to examine attitudes towards training as well as individual difference factors that may impact symptom outcomes for IBM depression interventions. Seventy-two dysphoric young adults were randomly assigned to receive either an IBM targeting negative interpretation bias in personal evaluations or interpersonal situations or a healthy video control (HVC) condition. Compared to those who received HVC, participants in the IBM condition reported lower negative interpretation bias at posttreatment. No differences between conditions were found for symptom outcomes. Greater perceived treatment credibility and expectancy were associated with better treatment outcomes for both the IBM and HVC groups. Within the IBM group, a greater tendency toward assimilation with treatment scenarios was significantly associated with better treatment outcomes for both depressive and anger symptoms. This effect was unique from treatment credibility and expectancy. Pretreatment psychological reactance did not predict treatment response for either condition. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
Comparison and change of defense mechanisms over the course of psychotherapy in patients with depression or anxiety disorder: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial.

Defense mechanisms play an important role in the development and maintenance of both health and psychopathology. Research is still in the early stages of investigating the specific relationships among diagnostic groups and defense mechanisms along with their response to different treatment types. For the present study a total of 47 outpatients diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders were randomized to receive 25±3 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy with integrated elements of either emotion-focused therapy (CBT + EFT) or treatment components based on self-regulation theory (CBT + SR). An observer-rated method, the Defense Mechanism Rating Scale (DMRS) was used to code transcripts of the 1st, 8th, 16th and 24th session to assess change in defensive functioning. Over the course of therapy, overall defensive functioning (ODF) as well as adaptive defenses increased significantly, whereas maladaptive and neurotic defenses did not change. At the beginning of treatment, the proportion of adaptive defenses and ODF was significantly higher in patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders than in patients with depressive disorders. However, depressed patients exhibited greater improvement in their defensive functioning over the course of therapy. Results support the view of defense mechanisms as a useful transdiagnostic and transtheoretical concept and supports the notion that change of defense mechanisms may be a relevant mechanism of change in psychotherapy.
Interpersonal clarification effects in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for depression and how they are moderated by the therapeutic alliance.

Although a wide body of research links depression to interpersonal deficits, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), considered the gold standard in the treatment of this condition, has not been developed to specifically address interpersonal difficulties. However, cognitive changes on a relational level occurring during CBT might play an important role in the treatment of depression. Interpersonal clarification refers to the process of better understanding the nature of one's interpersonal patterns during therapy. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of interpersonal clarification in CBT and how they are moderated by the therapeutic alliance. A sample of 621 patients diagnosed with depression were treated with CBT by 126 therapists in a university outpatient clinic. Patients completed measures of interpersonal problems and depression severity at baseline, measures of symptomatic evolution before each session and process measures (assessing interpersonal clarification and alliance) after each session. Multilevel models separating between-patient (BP) and within-patient (WP) effects of interpersonal clarification, and including BP and WP alliance effects as covariates and moderators of the interpersonal clarification effects were conducted. Analyses showed both significant BP and WP effects interpersonal clarification, even when adjusting for alliance effects. Furthermore, significant interactive effects were found between outcome of WP interpersonal clarification with both BP alliance and WP alliance. Interpersonal clarification was measured with one single-item and adherence to CBT was not explicitly measured. The results present preliminary evidence for considering interpersonal clarification a meaningful change process in CBT for depression, especially in the context of a stronger therapeutic alliance.
Interpersonal problems as predictors of therapeutic alliance and symptom improvement in cognitive therapy for depression.

The degree to which interpersonal problems of depressed patients improve over the course of cognitive therapy (CT) and relate to the quality of the therapeutic alliance and to symptom improvement, remains unclear. We analyzed data of adult outpatients (N=523) with major depressive disorder participating in a clinical trial to determine the factor structure of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-Circumplex (IIP-C) and to relate the observed factor scores to the quality of the therapeutic alliance and symptom improvement over the course of CT. Patients received 16-20 sessions protocol (50-60 min each) of individual CT according to the treatment manual by Beck et al. (1979). We found a three-factor structure (interpersonal distress, agency, and communion) of interpersonal problems. Interpersonal distress decreased (d=.90), but interpersonal style did not change substantively during CT (communion d=.03; agency d=.14). High initial agency scores related negatively to the therapeutic alliance (β=-.12), whereas high initial communion scores related positively to the therapeutic alliance (β=.15). Elevated pre-treatment interpersonal distress scores were related to both weaker therapeutic alliances (β=.13) and higher symptom levels throughout treatment (β=.10). All patients in this study had recurrent MDD and it is therefore uncertain whether the results would generalize to patients with other psychiatric disorders. This study supports the use of the IIP-C as a comprehensive measure of patients' interpersonal style and interpersonal distress. The IIP-C measured before CT showed some predictive validity with respect to therapeutic alliance measured at the midpoint and therapy outcome. The clinical importance of these findings is discussed.
Can integrating the Memory Support Intervention into cognitive therapy improve depression outcome? A randomized controlled trial.

We investigated if improving a patient's memory for the content of their treatment, via the Memory Support Intervention, improves illness course and functional outcomes. The platform for investigating this question was major depressive disorder (MDD) and cognitive therapy (CT). Adults diagnosed with MDD (N = 178) were randomly allocated to CT + Memory Support (n = 91) or CT-as-usual (n = 87). Both treatments were comprised of 20-26, 50-min sessions over 16 weeks. Blind assessments were conducted before and immediately following treatment (post-treatment) and 6 months later (6FU). Patient memory for treatment, assessed with a free recall task, was higher in CT + Memory Support for past session recall at post-treatment. Both treatment arms were associated with reductions in depressive symptoms and functional impairment except: CT + Memory Support exhibited lower depression severity at 6FU (b = -3.09, p = 0.050, d = -0.27), and greater reduction in unhealthy days from baseline to 6FU (b = -4.21, p = 0.010, d = -1.07), compared to CT-as-usual. While differences in illness course and functional outcomes between the two treatment arms were limited, it is possible that future analyses of the type of memory supports and longer follow-up may yield more encouraging outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01790919. Registered October 6, 2016.