A clinical trial for adolescent depression: predictors of additional treatment in the acute and follow-up phases of the trial

Abstract

Objective: To examine the predictors of additional service use among participants in a clinical trial for depression.

Method: 107 adolescents with DSM-III-R depression were randomly assigned to receive either cognitive-behavioral therapy, systemic behavioral family therapy, or nondirective supportive therapy for 12 to 16 weeks of acute treatment and followed up periodically for 24 months after the termination of acute treatment.

Results: More than half (53.3%) of the 107 randomized adolescents received additional treatment beyond that provided in the clinical trial, with a median time to additional treatment from intake of 7.2 months. The rates and times to additional treatment were similar in the 3 treatment groups, despite the superior efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the acute phase. The severity of the index depressive episode and comorbid dysthymia were a predictor of additional treatment in the acute phase, whereas in the follow-up period the severity of depressive symptomatology, the presence of disruptive disorders, and family problems predicted additional treatment.

Conclusions: Subsequent clinical trials for early-onset depression must focus on the entire depressive episode, rather than just the acute phase, to prevent depressive relapse. In addition, attendant family difficulties and comorbid behavioral problems must be addressed.