Comparative study of venlafaxine combined with cognitive therapy in the treatment of depression

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of venlafaxine combined with cognitive therapy(CT) in the treatment of depression. Methods 50 patients with depression were randomly divided into the treatment group(n=25) treated with combination of venlafaxine and CT and the control group(n=25) with venlafaxine only,twice/week,observed for 8 weeks,and followed up since the end of the 12th month. Efficacies were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD) ,Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA) and adverse reactions with the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale(TESS) before treatment and at the ends of the 2nd,4th and 8th week. Relase rate was assessed with the Clinical Global Impression(CGI-SI) at the end of the 12 month follow-up. Results After 4 and 8 weeks,the curmive rate and effective rate the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group.The scores of HAMD and HAMA in the treatment group were significanfly lower than those in the control group after 4 weeks.The scores were sign ificantly lower in two groups after 2 weeks of treatment.The incidence of adverse efect and the scores of TESS had no significant difference between the two groups. At the end of 12 month follow-up,relase rate was significantly higher in the control group than in the treatment group P0.05) .Conclusions Venlafaxine plus cognitive therapy is superior to venlafaxine alone in treatment of depression.