Acute Phase Efficacy

The laboratory has been involved in:

Pioneering the Use of Acute Phase Cognitive Therapy in Combatting Depressive Symptoms

Historical background: The efficacy of acute phase cognitive therapy (CT) for reducing depressive symptoms in adults was unclear and unsubstantiated prior to the 1990s.

Central finding(s): The effect of cognitive therapy on depressive symptom reduction was significantly greater than pill placebo and did not differ from phenelzine (Nardil; a monoamine oxidase inhibitor) for adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder and atypical features. The results from this randomized controlled trial increased the evidence base for both depression and cognitive therapy at a time when efficacy was questioned. The data have been shared with other researchers, including an international collaboration led by Pim Cuijpers, Ph.D. to produce related patient level meta-analyses. PubMed: 25407584; Europe PMC: 27921338.

Dr. Jarrett’s Role: Principal Investigator; study design, implementation, oversight, and interpretation, and primary author; work spanned 1989-1999.

Selected papers:

• Jarrett, R.B., Schaffer, M., McIntire, D., Witt-Browder, A., Kraft, D., & Risser, R.C. (1999). Treatment of atypical depression with cognitive therapy or phenelzine: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Archives of General Psychiatry, 56(5), 431-437. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.56.5.431 PubMed PMID: 10232298; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1475805.
• Jarrett, R.B., Kraft, D., Schaffer, M., Witt-Browder, A., Risser, R., Atkins, D.H., & Doyle, J. (2000). Reducing relapse in depressed outpatients with atypical features: a pilot study. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 69(5), 232-239. doi: 10.1159/000012401 PubMed PMID: 10965287.