The Impact of Psychological Interventions on Psychometric and Immunological Measures in Patients With Major Depression

The Impact of Psychological Interventions on Psychometric and Immunological Measures in Patients With Major Depression

The Impact of Psychological Interventions (With and Without Exercise) on Psychometric and Immunological Measures in Patients With Major Depression

The objective of this study is to compare the impact of i) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) combined with exercise, ii)CBT combined with euthymic therapy, and iii) 'Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy' (CBASP) on psychometric and immunological measures in patients with major depression.

The interest of the investigation is to compare the impact of CBT combined with exercise, CBT combined with euthymic therapy and CBASP on depression and further psychopathological variables (assessed at 5 points). Previous findings indicate increased concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in depression. A bidirectional relationship between depression and immunological alterations has been suggested: On the one hand pro-inflammatory cytokines may contribute to depression, on the other hand depression-linked changes (e.g. a reduction of activity, increased stress-sensitivity) may lead to increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, this study is also supposed to investigate the influence of above mentioned interventions on pro-inflammatory cytokines. Using a waiting group, potential changes in psychometric and biological parameters without any intervention are controlled. Assessments take place at baseline, after 4 weeks of treatment, after 8 weeks of treatment, after 16 weeks of treatment and 6 months follow up. 200 patients with Major Depression (DSM IV, BDI II at baseline ≥18) will be included. Patients will be randomized and assigned to one of the 4 groups.

Patients with Major Depression (N = 50) get a common CBT treatment in combination with physical exercise.

Patients with Major Depression (N = 50) get the same common CBT treatment as the CBT-active-group, but instead of physical exercise they receive an enjoyment training, which is based on exercises from the "Kleine Schule des Genießens" (Koppenhöfer, 2004)

Patients with Major Depression (N=50) get a cognitive therapy according to the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP).

Patients get CBT treatment combined with moderate physical exercise (4x40min/week for 4 weeks, week 5, 6, 7 and 8).

Patients get the same common CBT treatment as group I, but instead of physical exercise they receive an enjoyment training Patients get CBT treatment combined with euthymic exercise (4x40min/week for 4 weeks, week 5, 6, 7 and 8).

Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy integrates behavioral, cognitive, psychodynamic and interpersonal strategies. Foci of the CBASP-therapy are situation analysis and subsequent behavioral trainings as well as interpersonal strategies to create a therapeutic relationship.

Changes in severity of depressive symptoms from baseline (beginning of therapy) to 4 weeks after baseline, to 8 weeks after baseline, to 16 weeks after baseline (end of therapy) to 6-month-follow up

From baseline (beginning of therapy) to 4 weeks after baseline, to 8 weeks after baseline, to 16 weeks after baseline (end of therapy) to 6-month-follow up

Changes in immunological measures from baseline (beginning of therapy) to 4 weeks after baseline, to 8 weeks after baseline, to 16 weeks after baseline (end of therapy) to 6-month-follow up

C-reactive protein, inflammatory markers(Il-6, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma, IL-1ra, sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (Il-10)

From baseline (beginning of therapy) to 4 weeks after baseline, to 8 weeks after baseline, to 16 weeks after baseline (end of therapy) to 6-month-follow up

Changes in psychopathological variables from baseline (beginning of therapy) to 4 weeks after baseline, to 8 weeks after baseline, to 16 weeks after baseline (end of therapy) to 6-month-follow up

From baseline (beginning of therapy) to 4 weeks after baseline, to 8 weeks after baseline, to 16 weeks after baseline (end of therapy) to 6-month-follow up

Changes in perceived stress from baseline (beginning of therapy) to 4 weeks after baseline, to 8 weeks after baseline, to 16 weeks after baseline (end of therapy) to 6-month-follow up

Trier inventary for chronic stress (TICS-K; Trierer Inventar zu chronischen Stress; Schulz et al., 2004)

From baseline (beginning of therapy) to 4 weeks after baseline, to 8 weeks after baseline, to 16 weeks after baseline (end of therapy) to 6-month-follow up

Changes in self-rated physical activity from baseline (beginning of therapy) to 4 weeks after baseline, to 8 weeks after baseline, to 16 weeks after baseline (end of therapy) to 6-month-follow up

From baseline (beginning of therapy) to 4 weeks after baseline, to 8 weeks after baseline, to 16 weeks after baseline (end of therapy) to 6-month-follow up

Verbal test for learning- and memory abilities (Verbaler Lern- und Merkfähigkeitstest-VLMT; Helmstaedter, Lendt, Lux, 2001)

Inclusion Criteria: patients with Major Depression (DSM IV), BDI >=18 age:18-65 years patients with and without antidepressive medication comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders is permitted, as far as depressive symptoms are dominating Exclusion Criteria: current psychotherapy psychotic disorder serious drug-addiction drugs which seriously affect immune status (except contraceptives) or central nervous system functions (except antidepressants) infections during the last 2 weeks injuries during the last 2 weeks neurological disorders diseases which affect immune status or central nervous system functions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, CVD,etc.)