Continued Effectiveness of Relapse Prevention Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Following Fluoxetine Treatment in Youth with Major Depressive Disorder

Graham J. Emslie, Betsy D. Kennard, Taryn L. Mayes, Paul A. Nakonezny, Jarrette Moore, Jessica M. Jones, Aleksandra A. Foxwell, Jessica King

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the continued effect of a sequential treatment strategy (fluoxetine followed by continued medication plus relapse prevention cognitive-behavioral therapy [RP-CBT]) on relapse prevention beyond the treatment phase. Method Youth (aged 8-17 years) with major depressive disorder (MDD) were treated with fluoxetine for 6 weeks. Responders (≥50% reduction on the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised [CDRS-R]) were randomized to continued medication management alone (MM) or continued medication management plus RP-CBT (MM+CBT) for an additional 6 months. Long-term follow-up assessments were conducted at weeks 52 and 78. Results Of 144 youth randomized to MM (n = 69) or MM+CBT (n = 75), 67% had at least 1 follow-up assessment, with equal rates in the 2 groups. Remission rates were high, although most had remitted during the 30-week treatment period. Only 6 additional participants remitted during long-term follow-up, and there were no differences on time to remission between MM+CBT and MM. The MM+CBT group had a significantly lower risk of relapse than the MM group throughout the 78-week follow-up period (hazard ratio = 0.467, 95% CI = 0.264 to 0.823; χ2 = 6.852, p =.009). The estimated probability of relapse during the 78-week period was lower with MM+CBT than MM only (36% versus 62%). Mean time to relapse was also significantly longer with MM+CBT compared to MM alone by approximately 3 months (p =.007). Conclusion The addition of RP-CBT after acute response to medication management had a continued effect on reducing risk of relapse even after the end of treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)991-998
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume54
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • CBT
  • continuation treatment
  • depression
  • relapse
  • youth

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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