Depression – Practicing Alternative Techniques to Heal Depression (PATH-D) Study
Description
The UCSF Department of Psychiatry is conducting the Practicing Alternative Techniques to Heal Depression (PATH-D) Study under the direction of Stuart Eisendrath, MD, Principal Investigator and Director of the UCSF Depression Center.
The purpose of this study is to examine alternative treatments for depression by augmenting treatment as usual (i.e. antidepressant medication) with one of two 8-week group interventions in an effort to enhance recovery rates for persistent depression. For more information about these interventions, please see the side bar “Study Interventions”.
This study is currently being funded by a grant from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institute of Health (NIH) Grant Number 1RO1AT004572-01A1
Study Design
If eligible, you will be assigned to one of following 8-week treatment interventions:
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a recently developed group treatment that integrates mindfulness meditation with some elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The program teaches skills to allow individuals to disengage from habitual, negative thought patterns and focuses on elements of mindful awareness.
Health-Enhancement Program (HEP) is a 8-week group intervention recently developed at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in collaboration with the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). It focuses on four elements: physical fitness, agility, nutrition and music therapy and has been shown to help decrease stress, a contributing factor in depression, and to increase overall health.End Date
2/1/2013Participant Requirements
To be potentially eligible for this study, you must meet the following criteria:
- English speaking
- Male or Female
- 18+ years of age
- Depressed
- Currently receiving antidepressant medication at UCSF and have been prescribed more than one - medication for depression during the current depressive episode.
- Not currently receiving psychotherapy
- Good general medical health
- No current substance abuse
Payment
Eligibility UCSF Visit (2-hours)
- Comprehensive interview of depression severity, mental health and health history
- Brief Cognitive Task
Completion of all assessments leads to $250 in reimbursements as follows:
Baseline UCSF Study Visit (1-hour) ($30-reimbursement)
- In-person interview of depression severity
- Online Questionnaires
8-Week Intervention and Study Visits ($10-reimbursement per week)
- Online Questionnaires (5-15 min)
- 2.25 hour group intervention one night per week from 5:30-7:45 pm
8 Week Follow-Up Visit (1-hour) ($30-reimbursement)
- In-person interview of depression severity
- Online Questionnaires
6 Month Follow-Up Visit (1-hour) ($30-reimbursement)
- In-person interview of depression severity
- Online Questionnaires
9 Month Follow-Up Visit (1-hour) ($30-reimbursement)
- In-person interview of depression severity
- Online Questionnaires
12 Month Follow-Up Visit (1- hour) ($30-reimbursement)
- In-person interview of depression severity
- Online Questionnaires