Text Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Major Depression
The Problem
An estimated 21.0 million adults in the United States have had at least one major depressive episode. Young adults (ages 18-25) have the highest rates of Major Depressive Disorder but are the least likely to receive treatment compared to other age groups.
The Solution
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have developed an 8-week text-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for the management of depression (CBT-txt). Participants in the CBT-txt group showed significantly larger decreases in clinically meaningful depressive symptoms than those in the control group. When CBT-txt participants increased their positive behaviors and decreased their negative thinking, their depression was reduced.
Benefits
| Benefit |
|---|
| Rapid symptom relief |
| Ideal for patients waiting for counselor availability |
| Suitable for multiple age demographics |
More Information
- Kusum Rathore, Ph.D.
- UTRF Vice President
- 865-974-1882 | krathore@tennessee.edu
- UTRF Reference ID: 20169
- Patent Status:
Innovators
Michael J. Mason
Betsey R. Bush Endowed Professor in Children and Families at Risk, College of Social Work, UT Knoxville
Dr. Mason received his PhD from Oregon State University. He completed a National Institute on Mental Health postdoctoral research fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on treatment and prevention of mental health and substance use disorders leveraging technological applications such as text-messaging.
Read more about Michael J. Mason