Nurse-led group cognitive behavioral therapy for major depressive disorder among adults in Japan: A preliminary single-group study

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence and burden of disease of depression necessitates effective and accessible treatment options worldwide. Since April 2016, Japanese national health insurance has covered nurse-administered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for mood disorders. However, empirical support for nurse-led CBT for depression in Asian countries, especially in Japan, is still lacking. This preliminary study aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of nurse-led group CBT for Japanese patients with depression. METHODS: In this single-arm study, we evaluated the effects of a 6-week group CBT, led by trained nurses, on patients with major depression. The primary outcome was the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Assessments were conducted at the beginning and end of the intervention. RESULTS: Of 25 participants screened, 23 were eligible for the study (of these, three dropped out during the trial but were included in the analysis). Nurse-led group CBT led to significant improvements in the severity of depression (BDI-II, P < 0.001). The mean total BDI-II score improved from 23.1 (SD = 7.56) to 12.4 (SD = 8.57), and the pre-to post-effect size was large (Cohen's d = 1.33). After CBT, 45% of the participants were judged to be treatment responders, and 34% met the remission criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary findings indicate that 6 weeks of nurse-led group CBT produced a favorable treatment outcome for individuals with major depression in a Japanese clinical setting. The results of this study might encourage more Asian nurses to provide CBT as a part of their nursing practice. Further controlled trials that address the limitations of this study are required.