Weissman, M. M., Klerman,G. L., Prusoff, B. A., Sholomskas, D., & Padian, N. (1981). Depressed outpatients: Results one year after treatment with drugs and/or Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Archives of General Psychiatry, 38(1), 51–55. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1981.01780260053005

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 81

Population:

• Age — 18–65 years
• Race/Ethnicity — Not specified
• Gender — Not specified
• Status — Participants were acutely depressed ambulatory patients with a diagnosis of nonbipolar, nonpsychotic acute primary major depression.

Location/Institution: The Connecticut Mental Health Center (Yale University), New Haven, CT, and Boston (MA) State Hospital (Tufts University)

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to report the results of a one-year follow-up conducted on patients who received amitriptyline hydrochloride and/or Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), each alone and in combination, as part of a four-month clinical trial. Participants were randomized to one of four conditions: Psychotherapy alone (IPT), Pharmacotherapy alone, IPT plus pharmacotherapy or nonscheduled treatment. Measures utilized include the Raskin Depression Scale, the Hamilton Depression rating Scale, the Symptom Checklist, and the Social Adjustment Scale. Results indicate that there were no differential long-term effects of the initially randomized treatment on clinical symptoms one year later, since most of the patients were asymptomatic. While most patients were functioning reasonably well, there were some main effects of IPT on social functioning at the one-year follow-up. Patients who received IPT with or without pharmacotherapy were doing significantly better on some measures of social functioning. Limitations include the naturalistic nature of the follow-up study, in which some patients received treatment during the follow-up year that was not related to the study.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: 1 year.

Blatt, S. J., Zuroff, D. C., Bondi, C. M., & Sanislow III, C. A. (2000). Short- and long-term effects of medication and psychotherapy in the brief treatment of depression: Further analyses of data from the NIMH TDCRP. Psychotherapy Research, 10(2), 215–234. https://doi.org/10.1080/713663676

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 162

Population:

• Age — Mean=35 years
• Race/Ethnicity — 89% White
• Gender — 70% Female
• Status — Participants were referred from psychiatric outpatient services at the research sites, as well as self-referral and referral from other mental health facilities.

Location/Institution: University of Pittsburgh, George Washington University, University of Oklahoma

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to examine analyses of previously unanalyzed data from the NIMH-sponsored Treatment for Depression Collaborative Research Program (TDCRP). Participants were randomly assigned to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), imipramine plus clinical management (IMI-CM) or placebo groups. Measures utilized include the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Global Adjustment Scale, Hopkins Symptom Checklist, Beck Depression Inventory, and Social Adjustment Scale. Results indicate that patients in IPT reported greater satisfaction with treatment, and patients in both IPT and CBT reported significantly greater effects of treatment on their capacity to establish and maintain interpersonal relationships and to recognize and understand sources of their depression than did patients in the IMI-CM or placebo groups. Limitations include possible reporter bias, and lack of generalizability due to ethnicity and gender.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: 18 months.

O'Hara, M. W., Stuart, S., Gorman, L. L., & Wenzel, A. (2000). Efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for postpartum depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 57(11), 1039–1045. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.57.11.1039

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 120

Population:

• Age — Intervention: Mean=29.4 years; Control: Mean=29.7 years
• Race/Ethnicity — Not specified
• Gender — 100% Female
• Status — Participants were women giving birth in 4 Iowa counties between October 1994 and July 1997 sent letters inviting them to participate.

Location/Institution: Four counties in Iowa

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) on postpartum women meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria for major depression. Participants were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of IPT or to a waiting list condition (WLC) control group. Measures utilized include the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Postpartum Adjustment Questionnaire and the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report. Results indicate that IPT resulted in significant improvement in depressive symptoms relative to the WLC based on (1) the absolute reduction in symptom levels as measured by the HRSD and the BDI; (2) the proportion of women who responded to treatment reduction in symptom severity as measured by the HRSD and the BDI; (3) the proportion of women who met HRSD and BDI criteria for recovery; and (4) the proportion of women who no longer met DSM-IV criteria for major depression. Women assigned to the WLC group experienced little improvement over 12 weeks reduction in symptoms based on the HRSD and BDI, respectively, suggesting that recovery without treatment occurs slowly. Limitations include possible reporter bias, lack of generalizability due to ethnicity, and lack of follow-up.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: None.

Browne, G., Steinera, M., Robertsa, J., Gafnia, A., Byrnea, C., Dunnf, E., & Kraemera, J. (2002). Sertraline and/or Interpersonal Psychotherapy for patients with dysthymic disorder in primary care: 6-month comparison with longitudinal 2-year follow-up of effectiveness and costs. Journal of Affective Disorders, 68(2–3), 317–330. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0327(01)00343-3

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 707

Population:

• Age — Mean=42.1 years (Range: 18–74 years)
• Race/Ethnicity — Not specified
• Gender — Not specified
• Status — Participants were adults who were recruited from the patient roster of the Health Services organization, as well as self-referral from the general community based on advertisements.

Location/Institution: Primary care university-affiliated Health Services organization (HSO) located in a Southern Ontario, Canada community

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Sertraline alone, or Sertraline plus IPT combined on treating dysthymic disorder. Participants were randomized into IPT, Sertraline alone, or Sertraline plus IPT combined on treating dysthymic disorder. Measures utilized include the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Social Adjustment Scale-self rating (SAS-SR), McMaster Family Assessment Device, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). At 2 years, 525 subjects were retained for follow-up. Results indicate that all three treatments provide symptom reduction for many people with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) dysthymic disorder and/or depression. While there was no statistically significant difference between the effectiveness of Sertraline alone and the combination of Sertraline plus IPT, the additional treatment cost of providing IPT was offset by a lower utilization of other health and social services. Limitations include high attrition rate, and limited generalizability to others not in primary care settings.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: 2 years.

Spinelli, M. G., & Endicott, J. (2003). Controlled clinical trial of Interpersonal Psychotherapy versus parenting education program for depressed pregnant women. American Journal of Psychiatry,160(3), 555–562. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.160.3.555

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 38

Population:

• Age — Intervention: Mean=28.3 years; Control: Mean=29.3 years
• Race/Ethnicity — Intervention: 61.9% Latina, 28.6% Caucasian, and 9.5% African American; Control: 70.6% Latina and 29.4% Caucasian
• Gender — 100% Female
• Status — Participants were recruited from the outpatient clinics at the NY State Psychiatric Institute of Columbia University and other institutions in the NY metropolitan area. Some clients self-referred based on advertisements.

Location/Institution: New York, NY

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to compare a group receiving Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for antepartum depression to a parenting education control program. Participants were randomly assigned to IPT or to a parenting education control program. Measures utilized include the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Clinical Global Impression (CGI), and the Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression. Results indicate that the IPT group showed significant improvement compared to the parenting education control program on all three measures of mood at termination. Recovery criteria were met in 60% of the women treated with IPT. Limitations include high attrition rate, lack of generalizability due to gender and ethnicity, and lack of follow-up.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: None.

Bolton, P., Bass, J., Neugebauer, R., Verdeli, H., Clougherty, K. F., Wickramaratne, P., Speelman, L., Ndogoni, L., & Weissman, M. (2003). Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy for depression in rural Uganda: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 289(23), 3117–3124. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.289.23.3117

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 224

Population:

• Age — Intervention: Mean=47.6 years; Control: Mean=45.4 years
• Race/Ethnicity — 100% African
• Gender — Not specified
• Status — Participants located in agreement with local leaders using government census data.

Location/Institution: Rural Uganda

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to examine the efficacy of group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) in relieving depressive symptoms and improving functioning and evaluating the feasibility of such studies in sub-Saharan Africa. Participant randomization was done at the village level, with sample groups of men or women in each eligible village assigned to either the IPT intervention group or a no-treatment control group. Measures utilized include the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL) and a gender-specific questionnaire assessing functional impairment on important activities. Results indicate that the IPT group participants showed significantly greater improvements in depression scores than those in the control condition. Female IPT group members also showed greater improvement in all but one measured task (consoling the bereaved). Changes in task performance were not statistically significant for men. Limitations include no attempt was made to find out about any treatment control group participants might have sought for their symptoms during the study period, possible interviewer bias, and length of follow-up.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: Within two weeks.

Bass, J., Neugebauer, R., Clougherty, K. F., Verdeli, H., Wickramaratne, P., Ndogoni, L., & Bolton, P. (2006). Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy for depression in rural Uganda: 6-month outcomes: Randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 188(6), 567–573. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.188.6.567

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 216

Population:

• Age — Intervention: Mean=47.6 years; Control: Mean=45.3 years
• Race/Ethnicity — 100% African
• Gender — 50% Male and 50% Female
• Status — Participants were identified by both local key informants and themselves as suffering from a depression-like syndrome.

Location/Institution: Rural Uganda

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to examine the long-term effectiveness of a community-based group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) trial conducted in rural Uganda. The study aim was to determine whether the substantial treatment benefits found immediately following the formal intervention were maintained 6 months later. Participants were randomly allocated to IPT or treatment as usual study arms by village. Measures utilized include the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL) and a gender-specific questionnaire assessing functional impairment on important activities. Results indicate that the IPT group showed significantly lower HSCL scores and functional impairment scores. Improvements in depression symptoms were maintained between 2 weeks and 6 months after the intervention. Limitations include possible effect of other therapies not evaluated, lack of control group, and length of follow-up.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: 6 months.

Toth, S. L., Rogosch, F. A., Oshri, A., Gravener-Davis, J., Sturm, R., & Morgan-L'pez, A. A. (2013). The efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for depression among economically disadvantaged mothers. Development and Psychopathology, 25(4pt1), 1065–1078. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579413000370

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 128

Population:

• Age — Approximately 25 years
• Race/Ethnicity — 59% Black, 21% Hispanic, and 20% Other
• Gender — 100% Female
• Status — Participants were low-income urban women.

Location/Institution: Not specified

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for ethnically and racially diverse, economically disadvantaged women with major depressive disorder. Participants were randomly assigned to the IPT group or to an enhanced community standard (ECS) group, using a progressive block randomization procedure over the extended period of participant recruitment. Measures utilized include the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Beck Depression Inventory—II (BDI-II), Diagnostic Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (DIS-IV), Revised Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-R), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Social Support Behaviors Scale (SSB), Social Adjustment Scale—Self-Report (SAS-SR), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Results indicate that women receiving IPT had significantly fewer depressive symptoms postintervention when compared to individuals in the ECS group, and these gains were retained and increased at the follow-up assessment. Limitations include more participants were randomized to treatment group than control group, and small sample size.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: 8 months.

Field, T., Diego, M., Delgado, J., & Medina, L. (2013). Peer support and Interpersonal Psychotherapy groups experienced decreased prenatal depression, anxiety and cortisol. Early Human Development, 89(9), 621–624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2013.04.006

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 44

Population:

• Age — 18–40 years
• Race/Ethnicity — 86% African American, 13% Hispanic, and 1% Non-Hispanic White
• Gender — 100% Female
• Status — Participants were depressed pregnant women.

Location/Institution: Not specified

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of participating in peer support versus Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) groups on prenatal depression. Participants were randomly assigned to IPT or to a peer support group. Measures utilized include the Structured Clinical Interview for Depression (SCID), Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), State Anger Inventory (STAXI), and saliva samples were also collected to assess cortisol levels. Results indicate that both groups had lower summary depression (CES-D) scores and lower anxiety (STAI) scores by the end of the treatment period. In addition, cortisol levels decreased for both groups after the last day session, although the decrease was greater for the peer support group. The groups did not differ on neonatal outcomes including gestational age and birth weight. Limitations include small sample size, lack of follow-up, and reliability of self-reported measures.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: None.

Lemmens, L. H. J. M., Arntz, A., Peeters, F. P. M. L., Hollon, S. D., Roefs, A., & Huibers, M. J. H. (2015). Clinical effectiveness of cognitive therapy v. Interpersonal Psychotherapy for depression: results of a randomized controlled trial. Psychological Medicine, 45(10), 2095–2110. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291715000033

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 182

Population:

• Age — 18–65 years
• Race/Ethnicity — Not specified
• Gender — Not specified
• Status — Participants were individuals with depression.

Location/Institution: Maastricht Community Mental Health Centre, Netherlands

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of Cognitive Therapy (CT) versus Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) on depression patients. Participants were randomized to CT, IPT, or a 2-month waiting list control (WLC) condition. Measures utilized include the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), and the EuroQol-6D (EQ-6D). Results indicate that CT and IPT do not differ in the treatment of depression in the acute phase and beyond. Additionally, both treatments exceeded response in the WLC condition and led to considerable improvement in depressive symptoms that was sustained 5 months beyond the end of treatment. Limitations include reliance on self-reported measures, duration of the WLC condition was significantly shorter than the treatment time therefore a comparison of the full effects of treatment versus no treatment was not possible, and exclusion of patients receiving concomitant treatment and those using antidepressant medications which may reduce generalizability to the whole population of treatment-seeking depressed patients.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: 8–12 months.

van Bronswijk, S. C., Lemmens, L. M., Huibers, M. H., Arntz, A., & Peeters, F. L. (2018). The influence of comorbid anxiety on the effectiveness of Cognitive Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Major Depressive Disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 232, 52–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.003

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 100

Population:

• Age — Approximately 41 years
• Race/Ethnicity — Not specified
• Gender — 66% Female
• Status — Participants were individuals with anxiety and depression.

Location/Institution: Maastricht Community Mental Health Centre, Netherlands

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of comorbid anxiety disorders and symptoms on the effectiveness of and dropout during Cognitive Therapy (CT) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Depressed individuals were randomized to CT or IPT. Measures utilized include the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Results indicate that approximately one third of participants had a comorbid anxiety disorder. Comorbid anxiety disorders and anxiety symptoms were associated with less favorable depression change during IPT as compared to CT in the treatment phase, but not in the trial follow-up phase. Individuals with a comorbid anxiety disorder had significantly higher treatment dropout during both treatments. Limitations include reliance on self-reported measures, not all therapists and participants were blind to the assessment of comorbid anxiety disorders, and the assessments were performed by one rater.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: 5 months.