Evaluating Process of Change in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depression

NCT06245096 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UP-23-01077
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will compare two psychological treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD): cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Both treatments are well-studied and supported by evidence as effective options for people experiencing depression. These treatments will be delivered in an online group format via Zoom. The study will enroll up to 100 participants with depression. Half of the participants will receive online group CBT and half will receive online group ACT. There will be up to 10 members in each group. For both conditions, treatment will be provided over 8 weeks, with a 6-month follow-up period. Enrollment will be ongoing and groups will occur simultaneously. Potential participants are asked to complete an initial screening and an intake evaluation to determine eligibility. They will then receive 8-weeks of treatment. Participants will complete self-report questionnaires throughout their time in the study.

Conditions

Depression

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Chain of Change Treatment Diary (ChaCha-TD)

  The ChaCha-TD designed by our research group assesses participants' affect, symptoms, quality of life, significant life events, skills use, and mechanisms of treatment change in daily life.

  Three days per week during the eight-week course of treatment at 8 p.m. on preselected days.

Secondary Outcomes (15)

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7)

  Intake, Post-treatment (8 weeks)

• WHO Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF)

  Intake, Post-treatment (8-weeks), and follow-up (6-months)

• Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)

  Intake, Post-treatment (8-weeks), and follow-up (6-months)

• Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

  Intake, Post-treatment (8-weeks), and follow-up (6-months)

• Discrimination-Related Vigilance Scale (DRVS)

  Intake, Post-treatment (8-weeks)

Study Arms (2)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Over 8 sessions, clients learn techniques to challenge and change maladaptive thought and behavioral patterns

Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Over 8 sessions, clients learn techniques to accept their negative internal experiences and commit to action in line with their values

Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Interventions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Sessions will focus on skills such as behavioral activation, mood tracking, identifying and reframing automatic thoughts, assertion training and smart goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Sessions will focus on skills such as mindfulness, acceptance and willingness training, values clarification, committed action, defusion, and self-as-context.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) according to DSM-V criteria (APA, 2013)
• years of age or older
• access to a private location with a stable internet connection and a working video camera
• lives in California
• able to understand and speak English
• able and willing to give informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• current diagnosis other than MDD if it constitutes the predominant aspect of the clinical presentation and if it requires treatment other than that being offered
• clear indication of secondary gain (e.g., court ordered treatment)
• current suicide risk or significant intentional self-harm in the last six months sufficient to preclude treatment on an outpatient basis.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Southern California: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California, 90007, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Dao A, Bernstein RA, Ramos FN, Beasley B, Ezawa ID. Unpacking the chain of change in group CBT and ACT for depression: A protocol for a randomized clinical trial. Contemp Clin Trials. 2025 Jun;153:107907. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2025.107907. Epub 2025 Apr 2.

  PMID: 40185199 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression

Interventions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Iony D Ezawa, PhD

  University of Southern California

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 24, 2024
• First Posted: February 7, 2024
• Study Start: January 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: November 3, 2025
• Study Completion: April 27, 2026
• Last Updated: December 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)