Comparing Various Treatments for Achieving and Maintaining Remission of Depression

University of Pittsburgh

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 4

Conditions

Depression

Treatments

Drug: Imipramine

Behavioral: Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00227955

871250

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of five combinations of drug therapy and psychotherapy in maintaining remission of depression symptoms in people with recurrent major depression.

Full description

Depression is a serious illness that can interfere with a person's ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy activities that once were pleasurable. It is characterized by several symptoms, such as the following: persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood; feelings of hopelessness or pessimism; and feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness. If left untreated, depression symptoms can last for years, and may worsen as time goes on. Even with treatment, however, it is possible for depression to recur. Remission is a main goal in the treatment of depression and it may be accomplished through various strategies. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of five combinations of treatments, including medication therapy and psychotherapy, in maintaining remission of depression symptoms.

All participants in this study will first be treated with imipramine for 7 to 11 months. Once remission of depression symptoms has been achieved and maintained for 20 weeks, participants will be randomly assigned to one of the following five maintenance treatments for 36 months: psychotherapy plus imipramine; psychotherapy plus placebo; psychotherapy alone; medication clinic treatment plus imipramine; or medication clinic treatment plus placebo. Assessments will be made at Weeks 12 and 20 and Months 7, 11, and 36, and will include the time it takes for depression symptoms to recur, as well as scores on depression and mania severity scales.

Sex

All

Ages

21 to 65 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosis of recurrent major depression

Exclusion criteria

Unstable medical illness
Any other simultaneous psychiatric or medical illness of greater concern than depression (index episode of depression is not primary)