Psychotherapy effective for treatment-resistant depression in adults

There is moderate‐quality evidence that psychotherapy added to usual care (with antidepressants) is beneficial for depressive symptoms and for response and remission rates over the short term (6 months) for patients with TRD. Medium (7–12 months) and long‐term (>12 months) effects seem to be similarly beneficial, although most evidence was derived from a single large trial. Psychotherapy added to usual care seems to be as acceptable as usual care alone. Two studies noted similar beneficial effects after 12 months, and one study at 46 months. An economic analysis (conducted as part of an included study) from the UK healthcare perspective revealed adjunctive cognitive behavioural therapy is cost‐effective over nearly 4 years. Participants were aged between 18 and 74. Psychotherapies included CBT, interpersonal therapy, intensive short‐term dynamic psychotherapy and group dialectical behaviour therapy.