Health · Mental Health · 2 hrs ago
Two-Day Group Therapy Improved Depression Symptoms in a Small Trial
Researchers in Romania tested a two-day group therapy program for adults with depressive symptoms, including distress after a relationship ends.
The therapy combines cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns, with an evolutionary view of needs for closeness, belonging and safety.
The trial randomly assigned 61 adults to the therapy or a waiting list; 25 people assigned to therapy attended the sessions.
Participants received 16 hours of treatment in groups over two consecutive days in Bucharest.
After one week, the therapy group had a much larger improvement in depression scores than the waiting-list group, and anxiety and life satisfaction also improved.
By three months, the estimated depression benefit was smaller and not statistically significant, so the trial cannot show confidently that the effect lasted.
The researchers say follow-up sessions might help maintain gains, but this trial did not test them.
A preliminary trial found that a two-day group therapy program was linked to greater improvement in depressive symptoms after one week than a waiting list.
The trial included 61 adults with depressive symptoms and was conducted by researchers in Romania.
The program used cognitive evolutionary therapy, which combines cognitive behavioral methods with attention to needs such as belonging, close relationships and safety.
The estimated advantage in depression scores was smaller and no longer statistically significant at three months.
The researchers said the small sample means they cannot be confident whether a meaningful effect persisted.
- Who
- Researchers in Romania studied 61 adults with depressive symptoms.
- What
- A preliminary trial tested two days of intensive group therapy.
- When
- Treatment took place over two consecutive days; symptoms were assessed one week and three months later.
- Where
- Bucharest, Romania.
- Why
- The therapy aimed to reduce self-blame by connecting emotional distress with needs for belonging, close relationships and safety.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Participants completed questionnaires about difficulties in their lives.
Participants attended 16 hours of group therapy in Bucharest.
The therapy group showed greater improvement in depression scores than the waiting-list group.
The estimated depression-score advantage had narrowed and was no longer statistically significant.
- Trial participants
- 61 adults with depressive symptoms
- Therapy group
- 31 assigned; 25 attended
- Waiting-list group
- 30 assigned
- Treatment duration
- 16 hours across two consecutive days
- Group size
- Five to seven participants
- One-week score difference
- About 7.5 points on a 0-to-42 scale in favor of therapy
What people are saying
It changes 'What's wrong with me?' to 'What important problem am I reacting to, and what can I do about it?'
With a relatively small sample, we simply cannot say with confidence whether a meaningful effect persisted