Original studyPsychreg Journal of Psychology, 2018Read the paper →
Depression is one of the most serious public health problems in wealthy countries, and many people wait a long time for effective help. Therapists are always looking for approaches that work well in a limited number of sessions. A study from Portugal reports large falls in depression among people treated with a model called the human behaviour map.
Researchers at Clinica de Mente in Portugal measured depression in 85 adults from several districts of the country before and after treatment. The findings appear in Psychreg Journal of Psychology. Participants were a convenience sample of people receiving therapy at the clinic.
Each person completed a depression measure before starting therapy and again after treatment. Sessions were assessed after five and after ten meetings. The study then compared average depression scores before and after the intervention.
The human behaviour map is a psychotherapy model developed in Portugal. It aims to help people understand the patterns behind their thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and to change them.
Average depression scores fell sharply between the start and the end of treatment, and the difference was statistically significant. The researchers report that 83.4% of participants found the therapy effective after five and ten sessions, and that depression was in complete remission in 80% of the sample.
The largest gains appeared among people whose depression was most severe at the start. Women who began with severe depression showed a bigger improvement than men who started at the same level.
The researchers conclude that the model is highly effective and argue that it should be taught to psychologists in training. They also suggest it could help diversify the treatments that professionals offer.
The study has clear limits. There was no comparison group, so it cannot show whether people improved because of this therapy or because of time, attention or other factors. The sample was drawn from the clinic where the model is used, and the authors work there, so independent testing is needed.
Many forms of talking therapy have been shown to help depression. This study adds early evidence for a newer model, but a randomised trial would be needed before firm claims can be made about its effects.
