RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06696001

Neuroscience of Psychotherapy for Depression

Interbrain Synchronization of the Therapist-Client Dyad in Psychotherapy: Pilot EEG Study in Students With Mild-Moderate Depression Symptoms

Sponsor

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Enrollment

45 participants

Start Date

Apr 11, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depression

Summary

The goal of this study is to learn the extent to which client-therapist brain activity may synchronize during a psychosocial intervention for depression symptoms. The study will compare behavioral activation, a client-centered type of cognitive-behavioral therapy, to psychoeducation which delivers information on strategies to recover from depression symptoms. Participants will answer questions about their mental and physical health, attend one psychosocial intervention session receiving either Behavioral Activation or Psychoeducation with simultaneous brain activity measurement and complete follow up surveys two weeks and one month following the intervention.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 30 Years

Inclusion Criteria11

Between ages 18 and 30
Full-time student status (undergraduate, graduate, and professional)
Experience mild to moderate depressive symptoms as determined by the Beck Depression Inventory (score: 14-28)
Capacity to understand study procedures (informed consent)
Ability to speak and understand English
Willingness to comply with study procedures
Ages 18 or older
Qualification to administer therapy (decided by the Principal Investigator)
Capacity to understand the study procedures (informed consent)
Speak and understand English
Willingness to comply with study procedures

Exclusion Criteria9

Active, Current Suicidal ideation as determined by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) in the past month
Past suicidal attempt (lifetime)
Recently initiated psychotherapy (past month)
Elevated psychosis risk based on self-report prodromal questionnaire - brief version (PQ-B) or self-reported diagnosis of psychotic disorder by mental health provider
Positive screen for autism spectrum disorder based on the self-report autism quotient (AQ-10) or self-reported diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder by mental health provider,
Daily intake of benzodiazepine of \>20 mg diazepam milligram equivalent
Inability to give informed, voluntary, written consent to participate
Inability to effectively communicate in English as determined by interaction with study personnel
Anything else that in the assessment of the study team is not conducive to the successful completion of the study requirements.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALPsychoeducation

For the psychoeducation session, the focus is for the therapist to engage with the client regarding mental health broadly without a targeted effort to reinforce therapeutic alliance or to offer individualized guidance or techniques. The session will provide educational information on depression, depression symptoms and known causes, and strategies to reduce depression symptoms. The content will be delivered in a fashion to avoid individualization and psychotherapeutic exchange. The elements will focus on components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), differentiating between thoughts and feelings, common cognitive shortcuts, and the connection between behavior and emotion.

BEHAVIORALBehavioral Activation

Behavioral Activation (BA) is a psychotherapy treatment modality used for depression and focuses on replacing maladaptive coping mechanism that reinforce depressive symptoms with adaptive coping mechanisms to increase exposure to positive reinforcement. The treatment will consist of the following elements: Introduction to establish concept of positive reinforcement and build rapport, identification of client-centered values, individualized values-based activity planning and scheduling, and developing adaptive coping strategies for the future.