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Mechanisms Of Change in Psychotherapy: The Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy in Once - Versus Twice - Weekly Sessions on Outcomes in Depression.

NCT07408687 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 200

Last updated 2026-02-18

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The MOP II study examines how to improve therapy for people struggling with a depressive disorder. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (STPP) are two evidence-based treatments for depression that are widely used. Meta-analyses indicate that CBT and STPP are one average equally effective and superior to no treatment. However, many patients do not respond sufficiently and relapse rates after acute phase treatment are high.

Earlier research and theoretical insights suggest three promising strategies to enhance the effectiveness of psychotherapy. First, we want to examine whether increasing the frequency of the sessions will increase the effect of therapy. We want to compare once-weekly and twice-weekly sessions in both CBT and STPP to see whether more frequent sessions lead to better and more lasting reductions in depressive symptoms with the same total number of sessions.

Second, the study aims to answer what works for whom in two different psychotherapeutic approaches. People with depression differ in personality, life experiences, relationship styles, and how they understand the causes of their depression. Previous findings suggest that patients do better when the therapy approach matches how they see their problems. The MOP II study wants to replicate this finding.

Third, the study wants to examine how therapy leads to change. In CBT, improvement is thought to happen through changes in thinking patterns, such as fewer negative automatic thoughts and less rumination. In STPP, change is expected to come from better self-understanding, greater emotional awareness, and healthier ways of relating to others.

Consequently, the goal of the MOP II study is to find out whether more frequent therapy, better matching of patients to treatment type, and a clearer understanding of how therapy works can lead to faster improvement of depressive symptoms.

Conditions

  • Depression - Major Depressive Disorder
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Therapy

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive behavior therapy

The study explores cognitive behavior therapy and psychodynamic therapy

BEHAVIORAL

Psychodynamic therapy

The patients will receive psychodynamic therapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Oslo

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-03-01
Primary Completion
2030-12-31
Completion
2030-12-31

Countries

  • Norway

Study Locations

More Related Trials

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 NCT07408687 on ClinicalTrials.gov