New problem-solving therapy may help fight depression

New Delhi, Sep 7 (IANS) US researchers have developed a novel problem-solving therapy that boosts brain functions to relieve symptoms of depression, giving hope to millions worldwide.Depression is a common mental disorder, which affects an estimated 5 per cent of adults globally.The study led by a team from Stanford Medicine applied problem-solving therapy -- a form of cognitive therapy -- on adults with both depression and obesity. The therapy reduced depression in a third of the hard-to-treat patient group.The team targeted 108 adults diagnosed with both major depression and obesity, a confluence of symptoms that often indicate problems with the cognitive control circuit.While 59 adults underwent a year-long programme of problem-solving therapy in addition to their usual care, such as medications and visits to a primary care physician, 49 only received usual care.The participants also underwent fMRI brain scans and filled out questionnaires that assessed their problem-solving ability and depression symptoms.Among the problem-solving group, 32 per cent of participants responded to the therapy -- their symptom severity halved, revealed the study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.Lead author Xue Zhang, a postdoctoral scholar in psychiatry at the varsity called it “a huge improvement. It is because patients with obesity and depression have only a 17 per cent response rate for antidepressants.Brain scans showed that in the group receiving only usual care, a cognitive control circuit that became less active throughout the study correlated with worsening problem-solving ability.The pattern was reversed in the group receiving therapy. The decrease in activity correlated with enhanced problem-solving ability.It may be because their brains are learning to process information more efficiently through the therapy, said the team.While before the therapy, their brains had been working harder; now, they were working smarter, the team said.Overall, both groups improved in their depression severity. But for some problem-solving therapy brought more clarity, allowing them to return to work, resume hobbies, and also to manage social interactions.--IANSrvt/

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