Dynamic psychotherapy (DT) is not inferior to cognitive therapy (CT) on change in depression for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in a community mental health setting, according to a recent study. Researchers evaluated 237 outpatients with MDD randomized to 16 sessions of DT or CT delivered across 5 months at a community mental health center in Pennsylvania, from October 29, 2010, to July 2, 2014. They found:

• A mean (standard deviation) difference between treatment was found in the change on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression of 0.86 (7.73) scale points, indicating that DT was statistically not inferior to CT.

• A statistically significant main effect was found for time.

• No statistically significant differences were found between treatments on patient ratings of treatment credibility.

• DT and CT were discriminated from each other on competence in supportive techniques, competence in expressive techniques, adherence to CT techniques, and competence in CT.

Citation: Gibbons MBC, Gallop R, Thompson D, et al. Comparative effectiveness of cognitive therapy and dynamic psychotherapy for major depressive disorder in a community mental health setting: A randomized clinical noninferiority trial. [Published online ahead of print August 3, 2016]. JAMA Psychiatry. doi:10.1001.jamapsychiatry.2016.1720.