Applying experimental therapeutics to examine cognitive and chronological vulnerabilities as mediators of acute outcomes in cognitive-behavioral therapy and light therapy for winter depression.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

We applied the experimental therapeutics approach to test whether acute treatment outcomes for winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are mediated by a cognitive mechanism in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-SAD) versus a chronobiologic mechanism in light therapy (LT).

Method

Currently depressed adults with major depression, recurrent with seasonal pattern (N = 177; 83.6% female, 92.1% non-Hispanic White, M age = 45.6) were randomized to 6 weeks of LT or group CBT-SAD. SAD symptoms were assessed weekly on the Structured Clinical Interview for the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-SAD Version. At pre-, mid-, and posttreatment, participants completed measures of general depressogenic cognitions (Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale; DAS); SAD-specific negative cogniti

SUBMITTER: Rohan KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7384243 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature