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The following is a summary of “Facing depression: evaluating the efficacy of the EmpkinS-EKSpression reappraisal training augmented with facial expressions – protocol of a randomized controlled trial,” published in the December 2024 issue of Psychiatry by Keinert et al.
Dysfunctional cognitions are central to the onset and persistence of depression. Integrating emotional and kinesthetic features into cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could enhance its effectiveness and reduce dropout rates.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive restructuring augmented with anti-depressive facial expressions (AFE) in individuals with and without depression. The study also investigated the association between kinesthetic markers and depression detection.
They randomized 128 individuals with depression and 128 matched controls into 4 conditions: cognitive reappraisal training (CR), (CR+AFE), facial muscle training for AFE, and sham control. A single 90–120-minute intervention was administered 1 week after the diagnostic assessment, followed by a 2-week follow-up. The primary outcome was a depressed mood, with secondary outcomes including positive mood, depression symptoms, suicidality, dysfunctional attitudes, kinesthesia, and psychophysiological measures. Data were analyzed using hierarchical and conventional linear models and machine learning techniques.
Investigators concluded that incorporating kinesthesia into psychotherapeutic diagnostics and interventions proved feasible and effective in enhancing treatment outcomes.
Source: bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-024-06361-3
