Cognitive behavioral therapy and emotion-focused therapy for depression in a routine care setting: A randomized controlled pilot trial.
Hanna Aardal, Elisabeth Schanche, Aslak Hjeltnes et al.
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In 30 seconds
This pilot, parallel-group randomized controlled trial compared cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with emotion-focused therapy (EFT) for adults with major depression in a Norwegian routine-care mental health program. Participants were assigned to 9–18 sessions, with depressive symptoms assessed after treatment and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Symptoms improved significantly from baseline through follow-up (BDI-II, d = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.66). The trial found no significant difference between therapies, but its small sample limits conclusions about comparative effects.
Key findings
- Depressive symptoms improved from baseline through follow-up (BDI-II, d = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.66).
- No significant symptom differences were detected between CBT and EFT; the small sample precludes definitive comparative conclusions.
- Overall dropout was 6.31% (CBT: 10.91%, EFT: 1.79%).
Why it matters
The trial provides preliminary evidence that both CBT and EFT can be delivered in a Norwegian routine-care program for major depression, with symptom improvement and low overall dropout. The absence of a detected difference may inform further comparative research, but the pilot sample is not sufficient to establish that the therapies have equivalent effects.
What to keep in mind
This was a pilot trial with a small sample, limiting definitive conclusions about differences between treatments.