RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT05456035

CBT Enhanced With Social Cognitive Training vs. CBT Only With Depressed Youth

Social Cognitive Training to Enhance the Efficacy of CBT forDepression in Youth: A Developmental Approach (R33)

Sponsor

Vanderbilt University

Enrollment

82 participants

Start Date

Oct 10, 2022

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depression

Summary

Depression in youth is a serious public health concern for which more personalized treatments are needed. This randomized controlled trial will test the effect of an intervention aimed at enhancing social cognitive capacities (e.g., ability to take another's perspective), thereby making treatment of depression in youth more efficient and effective. Participants in the R33 (N=82) will be youth between ages 13- through 17-years-old currently experiencing depression. Youth will be randomized to either an enhanced CBT intervention that teaches social cognitive skills, particularly social perspective taking and theory of mind (CBTSCT) as compared to CBT only. The primary target is improvement in both social cognitive skills and depressive symptoms at post-treatment and at a 6-month follow-up.

Eligibility

Min Age: 13 YearsMax Age: 17 Years

Inclusion Criteria2

Participants ages 13- through 17-years-old
Youth must have a diagnosis of a current depressive disorder (e.g., major depressive episode; persistent depressive disorder) or a score on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) \> 15

Exclusion Criteria4

ever met criteria for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, or conduct disorder
current alcohol or substance use disorder with significant impairment
imminent risk of suicide
reading level \< 4th grade

Interventions

BEHAVIORALCognitive behavioral therapy plus social cognitive training (CBTSCT)

The study has two intervention arms to which depressed adolescents will be randomized: (1) CBTSCT is cognitive behavioral therapy enhanced with training in social cognitive abilities (e.g., social perspective taking), and (2) CBT only is cognitive behavioral therapy without the additional social cognitive training component.