Comparison of Behavioral Activation and Antidepressant Medication in the Treatment of Adolescents With Depression

NCT01740726 · Status: TERMINATED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 3

Last updated 2017-12-20

Study results available
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Summary

This study focuses on treating adolescents with depression. The study has two main purposes. The first is to compare a new form of therapy for depression called Behavioral Activation (BA) to the antidepressant medication fluoxetine. BA therapy helps depressed people get more involved in activities they find enjoyable, which can reduce symptoms of depression. Research shows that both BA and fluoxetine work to reduce depressive symptoms in adolescents. However, unlike previous research, this study examines how well the two treatment options work in comparison to each other. Participants in the study are randomized to receive treatment with either BA or fluoxetine for 18 weeks.

The second aim of the study is to examine the brain functions of adolescents in both treatment groups. Participants undergo functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans before and after treatment. The data from these scans will be used to compare the brains of participants in the BA condition with those in the fluoxetine condition. Also, the scans may show possible differences between participants' brains before and after treatment. These data may help scientists determine the ideal form of depression treatment for different types of people.

Conditions

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral Activation

18 weeks of 1-hour individual therapy focused on increasing rewarding behaviors. Therapy follows Behavioral Activation manual supported through previous research of this therapy for adolescents. BA intervention includes monthly booster sessions offered throughout 6-month follow up.

DRUG

Fluoxetine

Initial 10mg dose titrated as necessary to 40mg daily; weekly visits for 4 weeks, biweekly visits for next 6 weeks, monthly visits for remaining 8 weeks of active treatment and through 6-month follow up. Therapists will be available between sessions and throughout the follow-up interval to manage clinical concerns or emergencies.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Emory University

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Edward Craighead, PhD · Emory University

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
13 Years
Max Age
17 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2013-01-31
Primary Completion
2014-03-31
Completion
2014-03-31

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT01740726 on ClinicalTrials.gov