Effects of combined pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy for improving work functioning in major depressive disorder

Background Major depressive disorder is associated with significant impairment in occupational functioning and reduced productivity, which represents a large part of the overall burden of depression. Aims To examine symptom-based and work functioning outcomes with combined pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatment of major depressive disorder. Method Employed patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of major depressive disorder were treated with escitalopram 10-20 mg/day and randomised to: (a) telephone-administered cognitive-behavioural therapy (telephone CBT) (n=48); or (b) adherence-reminder telephone calls (n = 51). Outcomes included the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), administered by masked evaluators via telephone, and self-rated work functioning scales completed online. (Registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00702598.) Results After 12 weeks, there were no significant between-group differences in change in MADRS score or in response/remission rates. However, participants in the telephone-CBT group had significantly greater improvement on some measures of work functioning than the escitalopram-alone group. Conclusions Combined treatment with escitalopram and telephone-administered CBT significantly improved some self-reported work functioning outcomes, but not symptom-based outcomes, compared with escitalopram alone.