Cognitive evolutionary therapy versus standard cognitive therapy for depression: A single‐blinded randomized clinical trial

Abstract Objective To compare the efficacy of cognitive evolutionary therapy (CET) with cognitive therapy (CT) for depression. Methods Ninety‐seven participants (78 females/19 males) were randomized to a single‐blinded controlled trial (CET: n = 51 vs. CT: n = 46). Assessments were conducted at baseline, Sessions 4 and 8, posttreatment, and 3‐month follow‐up. Clinical diagnoses were made with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV (SCID) and self‐reports for depression and secondary outcomes. Results Although both groups showed significant reductions in depressive symptomatology, the overall Time × Treatment group interaction in the intent to treat analysis was not significant ( p = .770, posttreatment: d = 0.39). However, CET was superior to CT at increasing engagement in social and enjoyable activities ( p = .040, posttreatment: d = 0.83, p = .040) and showed greater reductions than the CT group in behavioral inhibition/avoidance ( p = .047, d = 0.62). The between‐group differences generally diminished at the 3‐month follow‐up. Conclusions CET is a novel therapy for depression that may add therapeutic benefits beyond those of CT.