Web Based Screening for Depression in the Workplace.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine an effective screening method of depressive disorders in the workplace. Methodology: Employees with a managerial career track of a large size company completed a web-based psychological assessment using the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) at the first screening. After three months, employees who had a PHQ-9 score of 10 or greater were further re-assessed using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 at the second screening. They were then interviewed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to determine a clinical diagnosis of depressive disorders. Moreover, analysis of the validity of the PHQ-9 categorical algorithm and the cut-off score of PHQ-9 ≥ 10 were conducted. Results: Of the 402 participants, 350 employees completed the depression and anxiety scales. Though 20 subjects had a score of10 points or more on the PHQ-9 score at the first screening, and nine of them maintained a score of 10 points or more at the second screening. While nine subjects were diagnosed with a major depressive syndrome by the PHQ-9 categorical algorithm at the first screening, only three of them remained with a major depressive syndrome at the second screening. Conclusion: Considering the spontaneous remission rate of depression, it seems reasonable to conduct double web-based screening for major depressive disorders in the workplace.

A Pilot Study of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression in a Japanese Community.

Aims: This pilot study investigated the effect and feasibility of a group cognitive behavioural therapy program in a Japanese community setting. Methodology: Participants were five patients with major depression. Ten weekly 1-hour sessions of group cognitive behavioural therapy was conducted in a Japanese community setting. Outcomes were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Statistical comparison of means was performed using nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test using normal approximation, and effect sizes (d) was used to compare depression scores before and after the intervention. Results: Group cognitive behavioural therapy appears to be significantly efficacious in a Japanese community setting, with an effect size of .85. The present results are similar to those found in clinical settings. Discussion: Adapting group cognitive behaviour programs to Japanese community settings can contribute to improved mental health in this country. The limitations of this study are the sample size was very small, measurement is self-reported questionnaire and conducted in a community setting as an uncontrolled, naturalistic pilot study. Controlled studies are needed and would provide a more convincing demonstration of the program’s efficacy in Japanese community settings.

Effect of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Compassion Training on Depression: A Study Protocol.

Aims: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the evidence-based treatments for depression. However, some patients high in self-criticism do not respond to CBT. Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) is featured in treating self-criticism and shame, and some trials have reported its effectiveness on depression in individual and group settings. The aim of this study is to adapt an established combined manual of group CBT and CFT, evaluate its efficacy as a pilot study, and discuss the advantages of group CBT (GCBT) program using compassion as a depression therapy in a Japanese community setting. Design and Methods: In this single group study, participants will receive 10 sessions of GCBT with compassion training that was provided through the CFT. All sessions will last for 1 hour and be provided weekly. The outcome measure is the Beck Depression Inventory II, and the secondary outcome is the Self-Compassion Scale in Japanese. Both outcomes will be measured pre- and post-program. The sample size will be 15 participants due to the limited capacity for intervention within the community. Discussion: It is expected that the program will show a larger effect size than that of GCBT reported in previous studies on depression and self-compassion. The results will show an effect size that justifies the introduction of a randomized controlled study to improve the program. Trial Registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry 000015007 https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&type=summary&language=J&recptno=R000016862. Conclusion: CFT or compassion training can augment the treatment of major depression using CBT. Despite several limitations, this clinical trial may help estimate the effectiveness of CFT, which will aid in the design of a further controlled study.

Social Skills Training Encourages a Patient with Social Anxiety Disorder to Undertake Challenging Behavioral Experiments.

Introductions: Cognitive models of social anxiety disorder (SAD), such as that developed by Clark & Wells, conceptualize the attention to, and misinterpretation of, internal information as a key maintaining factor. Social skills training (SST), a frequently used cognitive therapy (CT) technique for various mental disorders, is often justified according to a skills-deficit model of SAD, which assumes that anxiety arises from inadequate social interaction skills. However, the evidence largely suggests little to no skills deficit in this patient group, indicating that SST is not necessarily a technique to be used in CT for most SAD patients. In this study, we present a patient with SAD who negatively perceived her social skills abilities, and who benefitted from SST. We also discuss the role of brief SST in CT treatment. Presentation of Case: The patient was a Japanese female with excessive fear of social interactions who negatively perceived her own social skills. Cognitive therapy mainly consisted of case formulation, behavioral experiments, and opinion surveying based on the Clark & Wells model. As the patient felt too anxious to attempt behavioral experiments, due to her negative perception of her own social skills, SST was briefly employed in the course of CT. Discussion and Conclusion: As the patient’s actual social skills abilities were neverformally assessed, it is impossible to know if she had any social skills deficits prior to treatment, and, if so, if they were improved by the SST provided. However, SST encouraged the patient to try challenging tasks, notably behavioral experiments and homework centering on feared social situations. Although SST should not necessarily be included in CT for SAD patients, SST can help patients to decrease their excessive fear of being negatively perceived due to poor social skills, making it easier for them to try challenging behavioral experiments in feared social situations.